15-year-old arrested after drivers exchange gunfire in West Valley City

WEST VALLEY CITY — A 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after police say he exchanged gunfire with the driver of another vehicle.

The incident started about 9:45 p.m. near 3200 South and 2100 West. Multiple people called 911 reporting that they heard gunshots, said West Valley police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku. Officers who were in the area also heard them, she said.

“Dispatch information indicated that the occupants of two vehicles were exchanging gunfire,” Vainuku said.

A license plate number provided by one of the callers was checked and determined to be a stolen vehicle. An officer spotted that car and followed it to the area of 1200 W. 3300 South where another officer was able to set up tire spikes, she said.

“The suspect began pounding on the sliding glass door of the town home and then attempted to climb another fence to continue fleeing,” she said.

A police K-9 was released, prompting the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, to surrender. The boy was taken into custody at gunpoint without further incident, Vainuku said. A handgun was found on the passenger seat of the abandoned stolen vehicle.

The other person allegedly involved in the exchange of gunfire was also located. Vainuku said that person claimed he was acting in self-defense. He surrendered his gun to police and was being cooperative with investigators, she said. As of Thursday afternoon, he had not been arrested.