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
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”