West Valley Police say the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy in West Valley City, allegedly at the hands of a 14-year-old, happened during their lunch break from school.
Marquez Grajeda was shot at close range on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. at 1347 W. 2320 South, according to West Valley spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku.
Later that day, police booked a 14-year-old boy into juvenile detention on criminal homicide charges, which can be filed if a person causes the death of another person intentionally or with criminal negligence, Vainuku said.
“There were multiple people in the upstairs room of that home where it occurred yesterday, including the victim and the suspect,” she said, adding that there were also adults present in the home. “The suspect was at some point handling the gun that was used and pointed it toward the victim and pulled the trigger.”
The suspect, whose name has not been released, told police the shooting was an accident.
Neither Grajeda nor the 14-year-old live at the address where the shooting occurred, Vainuku said. Police obtained a search warrant and found two guns in the house – but it’s not clear if either was the weapon used.
Vainuku said investigators are gathering information on the case to present to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide what, if any, formal charges to file.
