The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed a man, according to authorities.
On Sunday at 1:34 a.m., 911 dispatchers received several calls about a shooting at about 900 East and 2100 South in Sugar House, a news release said. Officers found the man, later identified as 18-year-old J’kye Lovell Ray Watkins, on the ground and started life-saving efforts. He was transported to a hospital in “extremely critical” condition and died later Sunday morning, according to another release.
Brent Weisberg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department, said that just before the shooting, an argument broke out among a large group of people near the McDonald’s, and the fight moved into the Walgreens parking lot. “We do believe that there may be a connection [to the fight], and our detectives are working through that right now,” Weisberg said.
The Walgreens store was closed at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses told police that the suspected shooter left the area in a car. Officers don’t believe there’s a threat to the public. Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, Weisberg said.
Police haven’t made any arrests.
“We just want to remind people to be vigilant about what they’re doing,” Weisberg said. And if you find yourself in an unsafe situation, “prioritize your safety. We want people to get out of potential situations that could escalate quickly and safely.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 801-799-3000. Police believe there were several witnesses to the shooting who have yet to come forward.
Sunday’s shooting is the 13th homicide in Salt Lake City so far this year.
