16-year-old arrested after deadly shooting at Utah carnival

In the United States, a tragic shooting incident occurred during an annual carnival known as WestFest in West Valley City, Utah, prompting widespread shock and sorrow within the community. On the evening of June 15, 2025, chaos erupted when police officers, who were present at the event, observed a verbal altercation between two groups of individuals. As the officers approached to intervene, a 16-year-old male from one of the groups brandished a gun and began firing. The result was devastating: one 18-year-old male and a 41-year-old female bystander were killed, along with an 8-month-old infant caught in the crossfire. In addition to the fatalities, several others sustained injuries. A 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were both injured by gunfire in the arm, though it remains unclear whether they belonged to the groups involved in the altercation. A pregnant woman nearby also sustained injuries while attempting to escape the scene by climbing over a fence. Officers quickly apprehended the 16-year-old shooter, who was subsequently taken to the police station for questioning. Due to his age, further identifying details about him were not released publicly. As the investigation continued, police were eager to determine the motive behind this tragic event. West Valley City police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku stated that authorities were unsure if this shooting was gang-related, although multiple witnesses reported the aggressive nature of the verbal altercation that precipitated the violence. The carnival was attended by approximately 10,000 people, making the incident all the more shocking given that the event aimed to celebrate the cultural diversity and togetherness within the community. The weekend's violence in the Salt Lake City area raised alarm, particularly since the WestFest shooting followed an apparently unrelated shooting the day prior. At the ‘No Kings’ protest, a man, thought to be part of a peacekeeping team, shot at an individual wielding a rifle, which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. The ripple effect of these incidents highlights an escalating concern for public safety during festive gatherings. Leaders and residents are now grappling with the implications of such violence. The community's sadness is palpable as they try to reconcile the horrors of gun violence with their cherished traditions and celebrations.