1 dead after W. Fortune Rd. shooting in Glendale, police asking witnesses for help
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Salt Lake City Police are asking eyewitnesses to come forward after one man was killed Sunday morning in a shooting in the 1800 block of W. Fortune Rd. in the Glendale neighborhood of Salt Lake City.
Nico Christopher Patino, 30, was found dead shortly after 4 a.m. after what police believe was an afterparty in the parking lot of an industrial business. Salt Lake Police Spokesman Brent Weisberg said it is believed that several eyewitnesses — most of whom fled the scene after the shooting — may have pictures or even video of the fight leading up to the shooting. Weisberg said those who come forward can remain anonymous.
Since the investigation is still in the early stages, Weisberg said it isn’t yet clear how many shots were fired or how many shooters may have been involved. He called the shooting an “isolated incident” at a “chaotic scene.”
Weisberg said police would fight any witness intimidation or tampering, and he said police would team up with the Salt Lake City District Attorney’s Office to press charges against anyone found doing so.
“We need that one piece of information that will break this case and help identify who’s responsible for the shooting death of [Patino],” said Weisberg.
Weisberg said it is unknown if the shooting is gang-related, but he noted the city’s Gang Unit has been notified and added to the investigation.
As Utah moves into the summer months, Weisberg said police are gearing up for the “busy season” for crime in Salt Lake City. While he claimed violent crime is down 9% citywide and overall crime is down 14%, Weisberg said police are increasing patrols.
“We are taking a strategic approach to our crime reduction here in Salt Lake City, but we know that as we get … deeper into summer, here in just a few weeks, that we know we are going to be even busier here at the Salt Lake City Police Department,” he said.
Weisberg said some people are turning to firearms for conflict resolution instead of simply walking away from bad situations. He urged residents to, first, be safe in those situations. After that, he said witnesses should call 911 so that police can respond before things get violent.
Anyone with information on this shooting is being asked to call detectives at 801-799-3000.
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