19-year-old faces 7 felony charges after shooting at house party and SLC high school
MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) — A 19-year-old is facing several felony charges after a house party allegedly escalated into a shooting at a high school campus in Salt Lake City over the weekend.
According to court documents, Javier Martinez, 19, fired multiple rounds during a fight at West High School on Sunday, May 19, injuring at least three people. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and faces four second-degree felony charges of discharge of a firearm resulting in injury and five third-degree felony charges of discharge of a firearm.
Police say Martinez and several friends attended a house party in Millcreek but were quickly kicked out because there were too many people at the party. As they were leaving the party, Martinez claimed someone was “throwing up gang signs at him,” prompting him to pull out a gun and fire several shots into the air. Martinez said he fired his gun in an attempt to get the person to back up, according to court documents.
After leaving the party, Martinez met up with his friends at West High School. Martinez told investigators one friend was upset at him for firing his gun. As they were speaking, one friend began “badmouthing” Martinez, according to court documents.
Unified Police Department involved in overnight shooting in Millcreek
The two allegedly “exchanged words” before the friend “squared up” to fight Martinez. Martinez told police he hit his friend once in the face and then felt another friend hit him from behind. Martinez told police he felt threatened and pulled out his gun, firing several shots into the ground as he was falling backward.
One victim who allegedly admitted to police he joined the fight was shot in the foot while running away from Martinez. He was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery.
Another victim reported being grazed in the neck by a bullet. Meanwhile, the victims reported another friend received a graze on their back.
Detectives were able to locate Martinez after the shooting and safely take him into custody. Martinez told investigators where the gun he used was located. Police say they found the gun along with several magazines and ammunition.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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