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Whit Johnson reportingSalt Lake police are investigating a fatal shooting at a party. The college party, not far from the University of Utah, turned deadly when a man was gunned down. It happened early Sunday near 400 South and 1300 East.
Salt Lake police are not saying much about the investigation, but we do know nobody has been arrested. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Robert Ramirez was shot dead in front of dozens of people.
Today the streets are littered with cups and beer cans, and the neighborhood looks more like a mess than a crime scene.
U of U student Adam Lenkowski said, "It was pretty frightening. I mean, I haven't ever encountered anything like that before."
In the overnight hours, just after 1:00 a.m. Ramirez was shot dead in front of dozens of people. "I was at the house earlier and a fight happened so I left, and probably about an hour later we just saw the cop cars," Lenkowski said.
According to neighbors and police, there was a large party at one of the homes. Most of those attending were students at the University of Utah.
Salt Lake Police Lt. Cal Kunz said, "When officers arrived, the victim was in critical condition. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead."
Lt. Kunz says the shooting stemmed from an altercation at the party and investigating homicides of this nature can be difficult. "Obviously, when we have a lot of people that may be witnesses, we have to meet with each one of them and get any information that we can and hopefully get leads and follow up from that point," Lt. Kunz said.
As police searched for possible suspects, neighbors were left to remember the images from overnight, asking how a party went so horribly wrong?
Lenkowski said, "I'd say it was a little bit shocking just because I've never heard of anything like this happening right around the campus area. It's usually a pretty nice area."
Aside from his name, police weren't able to tell us much about the victim, but they are still asking for help from witnesses. If you have any information, call Salt Lake City police at 799-INFO.
