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Gene Kennedy ReportingA man was shot in the head after an attempted robbery at a West Valley City housing complex near 3344 South 4000 West.
A woman told police she and 27-year-old John Marquez were walking up to her apartment at the Granger Complex around 5:40 am, when a gunman approached them from behind. The suspect demanded Marquez's wallet. The woman says before the Marquez could hand over his wallet, the suspect shot him in the head.
Marquez was flown to the hospital in critical condition.
Police don't know who the shooter is and the description of him is vague at best. Investigators have been collecting evidence and taking photographs in and around the house, hoping it will lead to the shooter. The woman who was with Marquez is the only witness police know of.
Other adults and sleeping children were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. They were not hurt.
Some residents of the complex told Eyewitness News violence is a normal part of daily life there, but police say this is the first shooting a in a while.
Lt. Mark Van Roosendaal, West Valley City Police Dept.: "When a crime of this severity occurs, then everybody comes out, the story gets embellished and blown out of proportion. Next thing you know, there is a crime wave. Oftentimes it is not that way at all. It's an isolated incident"
Police are asking anyone with information to call the West Valley City police tip line at 840-4000.
Amazingly, John Marquez survived. He's in critical condition but is expected to recover.
