- Fernando Jesus Bautista Rodriguez, 22, was arrested for investigation of attempted homicide by assault.
- The stabbing occurred near Salt Lake Community College's Taylorsville campus on Wednesday.
- Police say Bautista admitted to stabbing the victim with a broken glass bottle in a gang-related incident.
TAYLORSVILLE — A man has been arrested in connection with a gang-related stabbing near Salt Lake Community College's Taylorsville campus.
Fernando Jesus Bautista Rodriguez, 22, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of attempted homicide by assault.
On Wednesday, about 8:30 p.m., "multiple agencies responded to the Salt Lake Community College area in Taylorsville on reports of a stabbing. (A) juvenile victim was found on scene and sustained multiple — approximately 15 — stab wounds to his body," a police booking affidavit states.
Police learned that two men, one armed with a gun, confronted a 16-year-old boy on Community Boulevard, on the west side of the campus, and then drove off following the stabbing. The teen told police he was being followed by the men in an SUV. He was treated at a local hospital for "moderate injuries and was released within a few hours," according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
"The stabbing was determined to be gang-related," the affidavit states.
Police learned that a GMC Terrain was seen leaving the area, and investigators traced it back to Bautista.
Officers with the State Bureau of Investigations went to Bautista's home and he ran off, the affidavit states. His mother called him, however, and convinced him to come back.
"Fernando returned but left his phone with a male he was with prior to his return, who is still outstanding. Fernando was placed under arrest," according to the affidavit. "He initially denied his involvement but then admitted to being the suspect who stabbed the victim with a broken glass bottle."
Bautista claimed he stabbed the victim because he was "throwing hand gang signs at him and his friend," the affidavit says. "Fernando said he did not intend to kill the victim but knew that the attack could result in death, which he said he is glad it did not."
