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SOUTH SALT LAKE — Investigators attempted Friday to piece together details of a shootout inside a vehicle that left two people dead and two hospitalized — one man barely "holding onto life," police said.
Armando Cuenca-Curiel, 17, of South Salt Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene Thursday night. A 19-year-old man, whose name has not been released, died at a hospital Friday night. His brother, 20, remained hospitalized in "very critical condition," said South Salt Lake police officer Gary Keller. Cuenca-Curiel had been a student at Cottonwood High School but at the time of his death was attending Connection High School, the Granite District's alternative high school. District spokesman Ben Horsley said grief counselors were sent to both schools to help students.
Just after 8 p.m. Thursday, police were called to 325 E. Park Creek Lane (3060 South) where a Ford Explorer was parked in the middle of the road.
"They (officers) can see they have three individuals unresponsive inside the vehicle," Keller said.
Cuenca-Curiel was found in the back cargo area and, after first aid was applied to no avail, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was described by police as being a close friend of the two brothers who were also shot inside the vehicle.
One brother was in the driver's seat and another in the back seat behind the front passenger, Keller said. Both were taken to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries.
Based on broken car windows and residue found in the vehicle, police believe all the gunshots were fired from inside the SUV, according to Keller.
Officers also observed a handgun inside the vehicle, he said. Detectives were expected to obtain search warrants this weekend to conduct a thorough search of the Explorer.
Investigators later learned of a fourth shooting victim — a 19-year-old man whose last known address was in Florida. He was taken to a local hospital about 11:40 p.m. with a gunshot wound to his left thigh and a homemade tourniquet wrapped around it, Keller said. His condition was unknown.
Detectives discovered surveillance video from a nearby residence that shows the man hobbling away from the SUV and then collapsing.
"He collapses in a yard and a smaller white car pulls up and he gets in," Keller said.
Police found a second gun in an area near the Explorer, but they were not sure Friday if it belonged to the fourth shooting victim.
Keller said police believe the fourth victim was passed around in several vehicles before a man — possibly the father of his girlfriend — took him to the hospital. As of Friday evening, Keller said investigators had not talked to the man and did not know his relation to the others in the vehicle.
"It's definitely on the to-do list," he said.
Investigators were able to find the man who took the fourth victim to the hospital and they interviewed him.
Keller said it was unknown Friday what sparked the shootings or if the case is drug-related.
"Right now we're referring to all of (the people in the vehicle) — because they did receive gunshot wounds — as victims," he said.
Several social media posts from family and friends mourned Cuenca-Curiel's death.
"One of our little cousins was shot and killed. He was a good kid with tons of potential. My heart is broken. Armando Cuenca Curiel you were taken so soon, G! Too soon! RIP Armando," one person wrote on Facebook.
"Loved you like my kids. I'm gonna miss you. … You will always be in my prayers. Rest in peace," wrote another.
One person posted that Cuenca-Curiel was not affiliated with any gangs and questioned why anyone would kill him.
Contributing: Mike Anderson
