Fact Check: "A 41-year-old woman described as a bystander and an 18-year-old man were killed in the shooting at the WestFest carnival in West Valley City, Utah."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, a shooting occurred at the WestFest carnival in West Valley City, Utah, resulting in the deaths of three individuals: a 41-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and an 8-month-old infant. The shooting was initiated by a 16-year-old male who opened fire during a confrontation between two groups at the event, which was attended by approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people at the time (source-1, source-2). The police confirmed that the 41-year-old woman, identified as Fnu Reena, and the infant were bystanders who were unintentionally shot, while the 18-year-old man, Hassan Lugundi, was likely the intended target of the gunfire (source-3, source-4).
Analysis
The claim that a 41-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man were killed in the shooting is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The New York Times reported that the gunman hit five people, including the two victims mentioned, confirming their identities and circumstances surrounding their deaths (source-1). The Associated Press also provided details about the incident, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the shooting and the involvement of the 16-year-old shooter (source-2).
Further confirmation came from local news outlets, such as KUTV, which identified the victims and clarified that the shooting was a targeted attack, with the 18-year-old being part of one of the groups involved in the altercation (source-3). The Salt Lake Tribune reiterated these points, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting and the aftermath (source-4).
The sources used in this fact-check are credible and include major news organizations and local reporting agencies, which are known for their journalistic standards. There is no indication of bias in the reporting, as the facts are presented consistently across multiple outlets.
Conclusion
The claim that a 41-year-old woman described as a bystander and an 18-year-old man were killed in the shooting at the WestFest carnival in West Valley City, Utah, is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms the identities of the victims and the circumstances of the shooting.
Sources
- Three People Killed, Including 8-Month-Old, in Shooting at Utah ...
- Carnival argument shooting kills 3 in an unusually violent ...
- Identities released of woman, teen fatally shot at West Valley City ...
- Three killed, including 8-month-old, in shooting at WestFest carnival ...
- Shooting at WestFest in Utah leaves 3 dead, including infant - USA TODAY
- WestFest shooting: Victims identified
- 8-month-old baby among 3 dead from shooting at West ...
- LIVE: West Valley Police provide update on deadly WestFest shooting
