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SALT LAKE CITY — A high-ranking member of a violent street gang has been arrested in connection with a shootout in a Salt Lake grocery store parking lot during which nearly 50 shots were fired.
Christian Uriel Catemaxca Trujillo, 18, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Thursday for investigation of three counts of unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and 11 counts of shooting at a person.
Trujillo is the third person to be arrested in connection with a shootout on June 9 that happened in the parking lot of a Harmon's grocery store, 3292 S. Richmond Street (1300 East).
"Christian is a well-known, self-admitted and documented gang member," according to a police booking affidavit. "Christian is an active member of a violent criminal street gang that often engages in shootings and other violent crimes in the community. Christian is believed to be a high-ranking member of this gang."
About 10:40 p.m. on June 9, Trujillo fired at least 11 rounds toward a group of 11 other people "huddled behind several parked cars," the affidavit states. "This shooting involved over 15 people, at least six different guns and nearly 50 shell casings."
A 16-year-old boy shot in the ankle was dropped off by friends at a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Salt Lake police said they were able to link the car seen in the grocery store parking lot and the one that dropped off the injured teen to Trujillo. The department's SWAT team served a search warrant on his residence and found a handgun and a shotgun and placed Trujillo under arrest, the affidavit states.
"Christian has been convicted of violent felonies and felonies involving firearm possession in the recent past," police said, noting his criminal record in juvenile court.
Last week, police announced that Axel Jose Pineda Mondragon, 22, and Armando Ramirez, 31, had each been arrested for investigation of aggravated assault resulting in serious injury in connection with the same incident.
"Detectives have determined the Richmond Street shooting involved rival gang members," police said.
The investigation into the shootout continued Friday as police looked to make additional arrests. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 801-799-3000.
