Crime
Three Dead, Including Infant in Mass Shooting at WestFest Carnival at Centennial Park
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A tragic shooting at the annual WestFest celebration in Centennial Park left three people dead — including an infant and a woman uninvolved in the altercation — and several others injured late Sunday evening.
According to West Valley City Police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku, the incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. near 5600 West and 3100 South.
Officers patrolling the event observed two groups of individuals engaged in a heated verbal confrontation.
As officers approached to de-escalate the situation, a 16-year-old male from one of the groups pulled out a firearm and began shooting at the other group.
One responding officer discharged their weapon at the suspect in an attempt to neutralize the threat but did not strike him.
Five individuals sustained gunshot wounds.
An 18-year-old male, believed to be part of the opposing group from the shooter, died at the scene.
Tragically, two bystanders with no connection to the dispute — a 41-year-old woman and an 8-month-old infant — were also struck by gunfire.
Both were transported to a nearby hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Authorities confirmed that the woman and child were not related.
Two additional teenagers were wounded during the shooting: a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, both suffering non-life-threatening gunshot injuries to their arms.
Investigators are working to determine whether either teen was affiliated with the groups involved in the initial argument.
In the ensuing chaos, a pregnant woman was injured while attempting to scale a fence to flee the gunfire.
Her condition has not been publicly disclosed.
The 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody at the scene without further incident and is being held for questioning.
Officials have not yet confirmed a motive for the altercation, and it remains unclear whether the violence was gang-related.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have video footage or information to come forward as the investigation continues.
“This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence that has deeply impacted our community,” said Vainuku. “We are committed to finding answers and holding the responsible parties fully accountable.”
WestFest, a popular family-friendly community event, was immediately shut down following the shooting.
Grief counselors and victim support services are being coordinated for those affected.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.