Fact Check: "Three people, including an 8-month-old infant, were fatally shot at the WestFest carnival in Centennial Park, West Valley City, Utah, on Sunday night after an argument between two groups."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at the WestFest carnival in Centennial Park, West Valley City, Utah, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including an 8-month-old infant. According to reports, the incident began when two groups engaged in a verbal altercation, which escalated when a 16-year-old male from one of the groups pulled out a gun and opened fire. This confrontation was witnessed by police officers who were present at the event, and they attempted to intervene as the situation unfolded (AP News, Reuters, Fox 13).
The victims included:
- An 18-year-old male, identified as Hassan Lugundi, who was reportedly the intended target of the shooting.
- A 41-year-old woman, Fnu Reena, who was a bystander and was struck by a stray bullet.
- An 8-month-old infant, whose identity has not been disclosed, but was confirmed to be a victim of the gunfire (Salt Lake Tribune, Valley News Live).
In addition to the fatalities, two other teenagers, aged 15 and 17, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were not connected to the altercation (Fox 13, Denver 7).
Analysis
The claim that three people, including an infant, were fatally shot at the WestFest carnival is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The details surrounding the incident, including the age of the shooter, the nature of the confrontation, and the identities of the victims, have been consistently reported across various news outlets.
The primary sources of information include the Associated Press, Reuters, and local Utah news organizations, all of which have a reputation for journalistic integrity and fact-checking. The reports indicate that the shooting was a result of a confrontation between two groups, and the police were actively trying to manage the situation when the shooting occurred (AP News, Reuters, Salt Lake Tribune).
While the investigation is ongoing, and some details are still being clarified—such as whether the confrontation was gang-related—there is a consensus among the reports that the shooting resulted in three fatalities, including an innocent infant (Fox 13, Denver 7).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations that adhere to journalistic standards. The information provided is not only consistent but also corroborated by official statements from law enforcement and city officials.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that three people, including an 8-month-old infant, were fatally shot at the WestFest carnival in West Valley City, Utah, is true. This conclusion is supported by multiple credible sources that detail the events leading up to the shooting, the identities of the victims, and the actions taken by law enforcement during the incident.
Sources
- Carnival argument shooting kills 3 in an unusually violent weekend for Salt Lake City area - AP News
- Three people, including infant, killed in carnival shooting - Reuters
- 8-month-old among 3 people fatally shot at state carnival - Valley News Live
- 3 people, including infant, killed in shooting at West Valley City festival - Fox 13
- Three killed, including 8-month-old, in shooting at WestFest - Salt Lake Tribune
- Carnival argument shooting kills 3 in an unusually violent weekend for Salt Lake City area - WGNO
- Carnival argument shooting kills 3 in an unusually violent weekend for Salt Lake City area - Newsday
- 3, including infant, killed in shooting at annual festival and carnival in Utah - Denver 7
