Midvale man shot twice


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MIDVALE -- An argument over fishing ended with a one man shot and another on the run. Midvale police say this is the second the time the shooter has been involved in a drive-by shooting against the same family.

The first time no one was injured, but Tuesday night's attack resulted in one man being shot in each leg.

Police are looking for 34-year-old Ofilo Moralez. They say he is the gunman in the shooting, and for whatever reason, has some sort of dispute against the victim and his family.

Detective Sgt. John Salazar, with the Midvale Police Department, said, "We think there is something deeper than this (argument over fishing.)"

A fishing argument is what the victim in Tuesday night's drive-by shooting told police sparked the attack.

"He believes the argument was the suspect pulled up and asked to go fishing, and the victim did not want to go fishing with the suspect because the suspect carries a gun," Salazar said.

Witnesses told police that Moralez drove away from the duplex near 700 West and 7800 South in a black Chevy pick-up truck after the argument. He quickly returned and fired three shots at the group of family and friends standing outside, striking the victim twice in the knees.

"One bullet went through the left leg and entered the right leg, and lodged in the right leg. The other went through and through," Salazar said.

Police say this is the second time Moralez has been involved in a drive-by shooting against the same family. Five weeks ago he was in a vehicle that fired several shots at the victim's brother.

Police say it's unclear if he was the shooter in that case, but after Tuesday's actions, it leads them to believe he was.

"I think there is more than what we are getting on our initial interviews. I think as our detectives get into it, they we will find more to what is going on," Salazar said.

The license plate number of the truck Morales was driving during the shooting Tuesday is Utah plate number Z489JV. If you spot it, you are asked to call the Midvale Police department.

Police say the shootings are not believed to be gang related, at least not on the part of the victim.

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Story compiled with contributions from Shara Park and Becky Bruce.

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