6PM: Teens in shootout may be tied to crime spree, police say

5PM: Teens in shootout may be tied to crime spree, police say

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SALT LAKE CITY — Police say it was fortunate that no one was injured in a shootout between two moving vehicles Thursday night.

But investigators are concerned that the instigators are a group of teenagers believed to be linked to a recent string of armed robberies.

Just after 8 p.m. Thursday, a car with an unknown number of teens inside began shooting at another vehicle near 900 N. Redwood Road, said Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking. The other vehicle was occupied by a couple and their teenage son. The attack appeared to be at random, Wilking said.

All of the windows of the victim's vehicle were blown out as the teens fired several shotgun blasts, Wilking said. The father being shot at is a concealed weapons permit holder and returned fire with his own gun, shooting the other vehicle multiple times, Wilking said.

"There was an exchange of gunfire as they're driving and parting ways," he said.

The first vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, was later found abandoned.

Wilking said detectives fear the shooters are part of a group of teenagers who have been "very active" in committing robberies around the valley. In each case, a shotgun is used, Wilking said.

Anyone with information on the group is asked to call police at 801-799-3000.

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