Interstate 15, Nephi, Utah Photo: Ken Lund / Flickr
JUAB COUNTY — Police in Juab County are searching for someone who was reportedly shooting at vehicles on Interstate 15 early Tuesday morning.
Around 3:15 a.m., police say four vehicles were shot at while traveling between Nephi and Scipio on I-15.
Two people were injured by gunshots. But their injuries were not life-threatening. Juab County residents say they saw one of the victims enter a gas station and ask for help, although she didn’t appear to be significantly hurt. She was reportedly treated at the gas station, then allowed to go home.
Other county residents have their doubts the shooter was someone local. One woman said being brazen with guns in public isn’t something county residents do. She believes the gunman was under the impression Juab County is “the wild west,” while people who live there are a lot safer with their weapons.
“Is Juab the collecting spots for all the crazies and guns down here, from other places?” she asked.
Sgt. Cameron Roden with Utah Highway Patrol spoke with KSL NewsRadio after the shooting. He reported officials had not yet located the suspect, adding that investigators will talk to businesses along the highway and consult Utah Department of Traffic (UDOT) cameras to attempt to find more information about the suspect’s vehicle.
Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as an older model light-colored SUV. They reported it may have possibly been a Jeep Cherokee.
“Some of the witnesses have reported that the vehicle came up quickly behind them and, as they passed, fired rounds at them and quickly continued past them,” Roden said.
Investigators believe the attacker used a handgun, but they’re still trying to verify that. Two cars were hit twice by gunfire, while the other two were hit with just one bullet.
Roden said UHP is beefing up patrols in Juab County while they look for their suspect. After the shooting in Juab County, police believe the suspect was heading southbound on I-15. UHP warned people in the area to be on alert and report any suspicious activity. UHP are also asking for any witnesses to contact them at (801) 887-3800.
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