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SOUTH SALT LAKE -- South Salt Lake investigators are piecing together evidence from a shooting that happened on a busy street in broad daylight. One man was injured and another is in jail.
It happened at a bus stop on 3300 South 500 East. Police say the alleged shooter, 26-year-old Michael Genova, was sitting at the bus stop when a car pulled up. The driver and the man at the stop got into an argument, then police say the shooter pulled a handgun out of a lunchbox and fired multiple times at the car, shooting the driver in the stomach.
The victim was able to drive himself to St. Marks Hospital, which is about two miles away.
Back at the bus stop, police say Genova walked away, heading west on 3300 South.
Gary Keller, with the South Salt Lake Police Department, said, "We had witnesses who saw this shooting occur and were following the suspect down the street and around the corner, so we had good information on where the suspect was."
Apparently, the man walked into an auto repair shop then continued on. Police found him walking along Woodland Ave., a couple of blocks from the scene, and took him into custody. They also recovered the weapon inside a lunch box discarded by the suspect.
At this point, detectives do not believe the driver fired back. There are still some questions about if there was anyone else in the car. Some witnesses say yes, others say no. Either way, officers are relieved no one else was injured.
"Very busy roadway, this is one of our busiest roads through South Salt Lake, and how irresponsible can you be to fire a gun multiple times with other cars, other people around?" Keller said.
Police say the victim's injuries are not life-threatening and he should be discharged from the hospital soon.
They say Genova could face felony aggravated assault charges with a gang enhancement and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
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Story compiled with contributions from Nicole Gonzales and Marc Giauque.
