Suspect in a Kearns park shooting taken into custody, police say

KEARNS, Utah — Unified Police Department took the primary suspect in the Oquirhh Park shooting into custody Tuesday afternoon. 

At around 4 p.m., police arrested 20-year-old Colby Hawkins in West Valley. 

The initial incident

On Sunday, September 1, police responded to a situation where two groups at a party got into a heated conversation at the busy Kearns park, near a restroom. 

One person pulled out a gun and shot at the victim, who sustained three minor bullet wounds to the cheek, face and shoulder. 

Another person took out a gun and returned fire, Race said. The initial shooter fled the scene while the second person who fired a gun stayed at the scene. 

New details emerge

The shooting victim was released from the hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery, Race said. 

She also said this incident has been confirmed to be “gang-related.” 

The weapon from the shooting has also been recovered. 

She assured Kearns community members that the area is safe, and that this was an isolated incident. 

“Don’t hesitate to come out to these parks.”

Read more: Police reassure the community is safe after shooting at busy Kearns park