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PAYSON — Five men were arrested in Payson early Tuesday for allegedly shooting at a car that had three people inside.
Brayan Acuna, 21; Erick Jovanny Angeles Loeza, 18; Damian Cristobal, 18; Juan Artemio Gomez Castellon, 20; and Saul Gomez-Alatorre, 18, all from Payson, were each booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of three counts of attempted murder, two counts of discharge of a gun, drug possession with intent to distribute, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began when a man was "jumped" in the parking lot of a fitness center in Spanish Fork. The victim recognized one of the attackers from school and after the attack, went with two friends to that man's residence in Payson to talk to his parents about what happened, according to a police booking affidavit.
As they arrived in the area of the residence, the same vehicle the attackers were driving in Spanish Fork pulled up and two rounds were fired into the victims' vehicle, the affidavit states.
The victims then drove to a nearby fast-food restaurant and waited for police to arrive.
"Upon review of victim's vehicle I noted there to be two holes on the passenger side rear quarter panel near one of the occupants of the vehicle," a responding officer wrote. "In this case the attempt was unsuccessful, and no parties were injured."
Payson police located the suspected vehicle near 750 North and 600 East and pulled it over.
"A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle due to seeing a pistol on the passenger side rear floorboard of the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, the firearm was recovered and found to have an extended magazine," the affidavit states. "During the search, a large amount of THC cartridges were located, and a second amended search warrant was obtained to broaden the scope of the search. Due to the quantity of THC located, all occupants of the Impala, including Damian Cristobal, Saul Gomez, Juan Gomez, Bryan Acuna and Erick Angles are being (arrested for investigation of) possession of illicit narcotics with the intent to distribute."
Police say the five people arrested did not cooperate with investigators.
"Upon speaking with all parties ... I found that no one was willing to explain what had taken place. It was added that no one was willing to advise who the firearm belonged to, or who had discharged the weapon. Due to all of this information, I am (arresting) all five occupants," the affidavit states.
