Teen Charged With Killing 4 in Utah Carnival Shooting
A 16-year-old boy in Utah has been charged with four counts of murder after a tragic gang-related shooting at a crowded community carnival that claimed the lives of a man, a pregnant woman, and her unborn child — as well as an 8-month-old baby.
The shooting occurred Sunday night at WestFest, a festival held in West Valley City, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Authorities say the violence erupted in what appears to have been a gang confrontation involving the Titanic Crip Society and the rival Bloods gang.
According to prosecutors, Hassan Lugundi, 18, was the intended target due to his association with the Bloods. However, two bystanders — 41-year-old Fnu Reena, who was eight weeks pregnant, and an 8-month-old baby boy in a stroller — were also fatally shot in the head. The infant’s twin sibling was unharmed.
Reena had just been to a prenatal checkup earlier that day. Under Utah law, the death of her unborn child resulted in a fourth murder charge.
In total, five people were shot, including a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy who sustained arm injuries. Another pregnant woman was injured while fleeing the scene. The alleged shooter has also been charged with nine felony counts of discharging a firearm.
According to the police affidavit, the teen allegedly said:
“I know what I hit because I know where I was aiming… I did not hit no baby.”
The weapon used was a Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun, reported stolen in Louisiana.
The teen, who cannot face the death penalty or life without parole due to his age, is being held without bond. Prosecutors have not identified an attorney representing him.
The incident marred what was supposed to be a celebration of West Valley City’s cultural diversity. Up to 10,000 people had attended WestFest over the weekend. Between 1,000 and 2,000 were still on-site when the shooting occurred.
The event was part of an unusually violent weekend in the area. A day earlier, at a “No Kings” protest, another shooting occurred when a peacekeeper reportedly opened fire on a man brandishing a rifle. That shooter struck both the rifleman — who survived — and a bystander, who later died at a hospital.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill called the carnival shooting “an unspeakable tragedy,” and pledged to pursue justice in a case that has shaken the local community.
