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Samantha Hayes ReportingDetectives have been watching a Salt Lake City neighborhood after dozens of bullet holes scarred not only buildings, but the psyche of people living there.
We talked with the investigator on the case about gang violence in the area. They really haven't had much of a problem here, until this last week. And after talking to the suspects, detectives believe the gangs in this incident are very local-- specific to the neighborhood, in fact. They're likely local kids who are fighting each other.
Whoever they were shooting at inside this house is not here anymore. Detectives say that's good news for this neighborhood.
Sgt. Isaac Atencio/ Salt Lake City Police: "We've been out to the area since Tuesday night and haven't seen them there. I strongly doubt-- they are not going to come back, so I believe the neighborhood is safe."
Sergeant Isaac Atencio is investigating the case and is familiar with the five suspects arrested.
He says they fired more than 20 shots from a blue Cadillac Tuesday night. Everybody nearby heard it.
Barbara Nelson: "I yelled at the kids, 'Get down!'"
The gunfight was a frightening experience for the neighborhood, where the same suspects are believed to have shot at each other before. Atencio says the gangs are not from out-of-state or out of the country.
Sgt. Isaac Atencio/ Salt Lake City Police: "These are groups of individuals who have grown up in that area and started to hang out with each other and formed a gang."
Investigators say the group that was arrested had been threatened, and that's why they went to the duplex Tuesday armed with guns and molotov cocktails.
It's a concern to Salt Lake City detectives, who say for most of the year, gang activity was down.
Sgt. Isaac Atencio/ Salt Lake City Police: "Our numbers are still down, although within the last month and a half we've seen a slight increase in drive by shootings and more violent acts."
Investigators say the most successful intervention they do is going into schools when they find out a gang may be recruiting. These detectives also work with other police agencies to share information and track trends.
