Early Monday in West Point, gunfire near a neighborhood Smith's grocery store triggered a pre-dawn shelter-in-place that ended with five juveniles identified by deputies, authorities said. Deputies responded to reports of shots around 2:30 a.m. near the Smith's at 217 North and 2000 West. Two of the juveniles were booked into the juvenile detention facility, while three others were released to their parents with charges pending. Officials reported no injuries, and the shelter-in-place lasted about three hours.
Gunfire, traffic stop and a pre-dawn lockdown
A Davis County deputy on routine patrol heard gunfire and spotted a vehicle leaving the area, prompting a traffic stop as other deputies moved in and secured the surrounding block as a precaution. The shelter-in-place was lifted at roughly 5:30 a.m., after detectives determined there was no longer an active threat, according to Gephardt Daily. Several individuals were taken into custody as detectives processed the area and continued their work at the scene.
Youth suspects identified and facing charges
According to KUTV, two juveniles were booked into the juvenile detention facility on aggravated offense charges, and three others were released to their parents with charges still pending. Megan Maybee, a spokesperson for the Davis County Sheriff's Office, told the station, "At this time, all known parties involved have been identified and are accounted for." The sheriff's office said the incident appears to be isolated, while detectives continue to investigate what led up to the gunfire.
Shooting not tied to recent porch killing, officials say
Officials say the early morning exchange is not believed to be connected to the fatal porch shooting that occurred in the same neighborhood a few days earlier, according to Gephardt Daily. In that earlier case, authorities identified the victim as 71-year-old James Witten, and the killing remains under active investigation, as reported by KSL and previously covered in Porch Killing Rocks West Point, as per Hoodline. Detectives are asking anyone with information about either incident to contact the Davis County Sheriff's Office.
