Boy, 14, paralyzed after drive-by shooting near Murray TRAX station

MURRAY, Utah (KUTV) — A 14-year-old was left paralyzed after being shot three times in a drive-by shooting near a TRAX station in Murray.

One man died in Thursday's shooting and several victims suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.

Aspen Barth was hospitalized in stable condition, but his injuries are serious.

“It was our worst nightmare,” said Nathan Barth, Aspen’s father.

One of the bullets passed through Aspen's ribs and spine, another pierced his lung and another hit him in the leg.

Now he is paralyzed.

“I can’t even begin to tell you the thoughts and things that we were going through at that very moment,” Nathan said.

He said he was just happy Aspen was alive.

“We have a really strong support group and I feel like we can come together and help him get through anything,” Nathan said.

Aspen faces new challenges and Nathan said the family will be there every step of the way.

“He has two broken ribs, so breathing hurts. Eating and chewing hurts,” Nathan said. “He has a collapsed lung from the puncture and just breathing hurts.”

The family knows the road ahead is difficult, but they know the future is bright.

“We're trying to stay hopeful and optimistic that he'll be able to walk again,” Nathan said.

Aspen is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday. As for the shooting, police have not said whether any arrests have been made or named any other victims in the case. They said they believed it was an isolated incident between two groups.

Anyone wishing to help the family can donate to the GoFundMe here.

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