A joyful evening at the annual WestFest carnival ended in heartbreak late Sunday when a 16-year-old suspect opened fire after a dispute erupted between two groups in Centennial Park. The incident resulted in three fatalities, including a 41-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and an 8-month-old infant, authorities confirmed.
The shooting occurred around 9:20 PM as police were responding to an argument.
“As officers intervened, a 16-year-old male produced a weapon and fired into the crowd,” the West Valley City Police Department stated on X. An officer returned fire but did not hit the suspect, who was quickly taken into custody.
In addition to the fatalities, two teenagers—a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl—were shot in the arm. A pregnant woman also sustained injuries jumping a fence in an attempt to flee the scene ; her condition is not known. Police noted that neither the infant nor the woman were involved in the dispute—they were bystanders caught in the crossfire .
WestFest is a longstanding cultural celebration drawing families and community groups to the Centennial Park setting. Sunday’s shooting marks the city’s first such deadly incident at the event. According to Gun Violence Archive metrics, this becomes the 156th mass shooting in the U.S. in 2025—an incident defined by four or more individuals shot or killed, not counting the shooter.
Local officials have begun conducting witness interviews and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, and it’s unclear whether the suspect had any gang affiliations.
#BREAKING
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) June 16, 2025
Mass shooting at Utah festival U.S.
Multiple people shot at WestFest in West Valley City's Centennial Park..Police confirm several injured, investigation ongoing
Shooting occurred 9:40pm local time. No info yet on victims or suspect. Roads nearby shut by authorities… pic.twitter.com/gRJHROI9lz
