Teen party ends with 2 girls with gunshot wounds

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah – Two teenage girls are recovering after being accidentally shot at a party Sunday afternoon in Utah County.

Three teenagers could face charges related to the incident, which involved a stolen gun, according to Capt. Britt Smith with the Pleasant Grove Police Department.

“You’ve drugs and alcohol, unattended juveniles and a firearm in the mix,” Smith said. “That’s always going to end up bad.”

Around 3 p.m. Sunday, neighbors called Pleasant Grove police to report hearing a gunshot.

“Once the gun went off, everybody just kind of fled and left the area,” Smith said.

Police responded to the area of 900 West and 600 South where they learned two teenage girls had suffered gunshot wounds from a single bullet.

“The bullet went through the first victim’s leg and into the second victim’s foot,” Smith explained.

The girl who was shot in the leg was taken to Primary Children’s Hospital for surgery. The other teen was treated at a local hospital.

Smith said detectives determined the shooting to be accidental and that the gun went off while a boy was showing off the 9 millimeter pistol.

“It could have been fatal,” Smith said. “There’s no doubt it could have absolutely been fatal.”

Neighbors said they were shocked and concerned when they learned about the shooting.

“Terrifying to think about and they were all minors,” said Maggie Anderson.

“It’s just devastating to know that so many people’s lives are going to be permanently impacted by something like this,” said Adam Matthews. “Playing with a loaded firearm is wrong. Playing with a stolen firearm is even worse, but then you throw in alcohol and drugs.”

It took until around 7 p.m. for police to find the gun, which had been disassembled and dumped.

Two teens were taken to juvenile detention. A third teen was summoned to court, Smith said.

“Those charges will probably look something like: discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, some drug and alcohol charges, obstruction of justice,” Smith said.

Smith said it’s a good reminder for parents.

“Just know where your kids are and who they’re with and what they’re doing,” he said. “Ask a lot of questions.”

It’s also a good reminder for teens to leave any party where a gun is present.

“Gunplay is never okay; firearms are deadly weapons,” Smith said.