Police call fatal shooting of teen 'targeted,' say suspects had history with victim

HERRIMAN, Utah (KUTV) — Police said the victim and suspects involved in the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in Herriman knew each other, had a “history” and called the incident “targeted.”

Two people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday.

MORE: 16-year-old found stabbed to death in car near Zion Bank Stadium in Herriman

Herriman police believed they had identified everyone involved, but they are still trying to determine the motive and perpetrator of the attack.

Police said the suspects and victim were present at Hill Valley High School's graduation ceremony at Real Academy, but do not believe the stabbing took place there.

“We heard sirens,” witness Paxten Dall said. “I heard a lot of people screaming and crying, and at that point I'm pretty sure the guy in the car was already dead.”

Police said the victim, whose identity had not yet been released Wednesday evening, was believed to have been stabbed inside a car.

“Regardless of how it started, we have a 16-year-old who passed away,” said Cody Stromberg with the Herriman City Police Department.

Stromberg said all four people involved in the stabbing, including two adult women, an adult man and a minor boy, were arrested and questioned. The investigation led police to a home in Riverton, where they found the car that police said had left the scene of the attack.

“Due to the nature of what we were dealing with and some of the background of the individuals involved, we utilized South Valley SWAT, our tactical team, to conduct a tactical approach to the residence where we conducted what is called a encirclement and called. ” said Stromberg.

Neighbor Joan Francis witnessed the police activity.

“It scares me sometimes because things change, and it shows here,” she said.

Police plan to release the identity of the 16-year-old victim on Thursday.

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