A 16-year-old student was critically wounded Tuesday after being shot by another student outside Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah.
KUTV-TV reports that the victim was rushed to the hospital; he is reported to be in critical condition.
The Canyons School District says the shooting took place outside the school; both the shooter and victim were boys. The victim is a 16-year-old high school student who attended Hillcrest High School. It is believed he confronted the shooter before the incident took place.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the alleged shooter is a 14-year-old student at the middle school. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of one count of attempted murder, a first-degree felony, and two counts of discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.
Police said the shooting occurred during a quarrel between the two students outside the school as classes were letting out for the day. Student witnesses say the victim went to the middle school specifically to fight the 14-year-old. The suspect apparently made fun of the older student's deceased mother and was dating the victim's former girlfriend.
KSL.com reports that the two students had planned to fight each other after school, and a large group of students were present when the two met, but they were supposed to have a fistfight. The victim was shot twice and has undergone surgery twice, according to Facebook posts. Police have not identified him, but witnesses say he is a junior at Hillcrest Higih School.
Classes were held as usual at the middle school Wednesday, and extra police were on hand as a security precaution.
Video from KUTV:
