KEARNS — Saying that violent gang activity will not be tolerated, Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder announced several search warrants Friday and subsequent arrests in connection with a gang-related shootout in a public park.
"We've literally cut the head off this particular problem," Winder said.
On Friday morning, 160 SWAT members and other officers from eight local, state and federal agencies served five simultaneous search warrants in Kearns and West Jordan. The results of those searches led to warrants at two more locations.
The warrants were in connection to the daylight shooting of a 17-year-old boy on July 12 at Mountain Man Park, 4935 S. Heath Ave. A teen was shot in the leg during a violent altercation between two longtime rival gangs, the Nortenos and Surenos.
"Two rival gangs got into a legitimate shootout," Winder said. "It simply will not be tolerated."
For a group to go into a public park in broad daylight with 150 witnesses nearby watching youth soccer games and to open fire, Winder said the gang members involved showed "a new commitment to violence."
The day after the shooting, there was another incident between the same two gangs that involved knives and an assault that left one person in critical condition, according to police.
Between those incidents and several others involving the rival gangs both before and since the July 12 shooting, Winder said there was a feeling among investigators that another park-type shooting was brewing.
"We wanted to nip it in the bud," he said, while indicating the park shooting was "not an isolated incident."
Since the July 12 shooting, seven people have been arrested in connection with the shooting, including three Friday morning. Of those seven, five are juveniles between the ages of 14 and 17.
Firearms and drugs were also recovered Friday, including the gun believed to be used in the park shooting.
In addition, immigration arrests for suspected aggravated re-entry were made as part of the investigation, the sheriff said.
While gang-related shootings and arrests are not new, the level of commitment used Friday to round up those believed to be part of the crime was, Winder said. He said it was intended to send a message to gangs that if they choose to engage in the type of violence displayed by the Nortenos and Surenos, "We are coming after you with every asset we have."
"It's rendered the Kearns community much safer and sent a message that gang violence will not be tolerated," he said.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said his office has made violent gangs a priority and will address it "head on."
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