SALT LAKE CITY — Remnants of police tape are still visible on Major Street in the Ballpark neighborhood where Salt Lake City police say a shooting involving a teenager took place early Sunday.
"There was some sort of situation here where shots were fired and then that group of people then returned some rounds back," said Sgt. Mark Wian. "During that investigation, we were notified that a 17-year-old juvenile was taken up to the hospital because he had suffered a gunshot wound."
FOX 13 News obtained a video from Sunday's shooting, and while the exchange was not captured, a rapid exchange of gunfire can be heard.
"This particular stretch has had two bouts recently of some pretty rough stuff," said Ballpark neighborhood business owner, Kelly Lake. "It's a strain on police resources, it's terrifying for the neighbors and honestly it shouldn't be happening,"
Despite the weekend shooting, data from the Salt Lake City Police Department Crime Statistics shows both property and violent crime counts in the 84115 zip code — where the shooting took place but is only 21% made up of the Ballpark neighborhood — are down from 191 in July 2022 to 151 in July 2023.
Sgt. Wian says police have spent 1,500 hours "proactively policing" this area.
Data from August 2019-July 2023 also shows crime counts in the 84115 neighborhood are back around pre-pandemic levels.
"We're committed to our policing model of stratified policing, focusing our efforts on those problem areas, getting resources there, strategizing how we can work with our community to enhance the quality of life and make sure everyone feels safe," said Wian.
Even with crime decreasing, data shows District 5 still experiences some of the highest crime counts in Salt Lake City behind District 4.
Lake acknowledges crime may feel different in different areas of the Ballpark community but believes Sunday's shooting is not representative of the neighborhood.
"It's heartbreaking and it's horrible and it's very out of character," she said.
