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Gene Kennedy Reporting Gunshots fired outside a crowded store. There are two victims, and several suspects. Police say it was gang-on-gang violence.
Robert Payne, Witness: "I think this must have been planned..they came down here with the intent."
Police say it was north side against south side, but they're still trying to figure out what motivated the violent confrontation.
The convenience store where it happened is located at 728 N. Redwood Road. The store was very busy when it happened. Neither the customers, nor the gang members who were victims saw it coming. Fortunately, there were witnesses.
Lt. Rick Findlay / Salt Lake City Police: "Two local gang members from a north side gang were shopping at the common sense store...when they exited the store, a member from a rival gang was lying in wait for them."
They then opened fire. A juvenile shooting two gang members; each victim took a bullet to the leg. About 10 shots were fired.
Robert Payne saw it unfold.
Robert Payne, Witness: "I heard a pop..pop..pop...pop ..and he came out this door."
The shooter got into a getaway car.
Robert Payne, Witness: "I think the car across the street must have been waiting for him, because he was parked right there in the driveway, ready to speed out of here."
And speed out they did. But Robert Payne chased after them.
Robert Payne, Witness: "I was determined to get the license plate one way or another (reporter question: ‘Did you get the license plate?') "No, this other guy pulled in front of me. I don't know if he was an accomplice, or if he was doing what I was doing, trying to get the license plate number."
Payne managed to get a good description of the car: A red Mitsubishi Mirage. Police found it abandoned early this morning. However, there was no sign of the shooter or the suspects with him. For now, a dead end to a violent morning.
Lt. Rick Findlay / Salt Lake City Police: "All the gas pumps were being occupied, people coming in and out of the store. Some of them were quite shaken but several were willing to help us catch these guys."
Police had three suspects and they say they've now arrested all three, one 16-year-old and two twenty year olds.
As for the victims, both are in the hospital and expected to recover.
