WEST VALLEY CITY — Hugo Padilla had just purchased groceries at a Smith's store Wednesday afternoon and was walking out with his family when they were hit by gunfire.

His wife, his 3-year-old daughter and another woman were hit — each of them in the leg.

"They start crying, my wife and my daughter, when they felt the shots," he said. "The other girl was crying also and grabbing her legs."

Padilla said he doesn't believe the man was targeting him or his family.

Grid View Erik Padilla sit in a shopping cart as his father, Hugo, is interviewed after they exited the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City where Padilla's wife Erika Ortega and daughter Esmeralda Padilla were shot on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

People watch as law enforcement officials search for a man who police say shot two women and a child at a Smith's in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Law enforcement in West Valley search for a man who reportedly shot two women and a child on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Hugo Padilla and his son, Erik, talk with reporters and bystanders at the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City where where Padilla's wife, Erika Ortega, and daughter, Esmeralda Padilla, were shot on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Police tape surrounds the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City following a shooting that injured three people on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Police tape surrounds the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City following a shooting that injured three people on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

A police car is parked outside a Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City following a shooting that injured three people on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Police tape surrounds the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City following a shooting that injured three people on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Hugo Padilla and his son, Erik, exit the Smith's on 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City where where Padilla's wife, Erika Ortega, and daughter, Esmeralda Padilla, were shot on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

Hugo Padilla puts his son, Erik, in the car after they exited the Smith's at 4100 South and Redwood Road in West Valley City where where Padilla's wife, Erika Ortega, and daughter, Esmeralda Padilla, were shot on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Adam Fondren, Deseret News

A man suspected of shooting three people, including a 3-year-old child, at a Smith's grocery store in West Valley City is taken on a stretcher to get medical care Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Meghan Thackrey, Deseret News

A man suspected of shooting three people, including a 3-year-old child, at a Smith's grocery store in West Valley City is taken on a stretcher to get medical care Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Meghan Thackrey, Deseret News

A man suspected of shooting three people, including a 3-year-old child, at a Smith's grocery store in West Valley City is taken on a stretcher to get medical care Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Meghan Thackrey, Deseret News

"No, it wasn't for my family. We are not from here. We are coming from Vegas. We don't know (anybody) that can hurt us here," he said, adding that his family was in town for a follow-up appointment for his young daughter at Primary Children's Hospital, where she has been treated since November for kidney cancer.

The family headed home from a hospital late Wednesday, and expressed relief their daughter, Esmerelda, suffered only minor injuries. Padilla said his daughter visit Primary Children's Hospital every week for treatment and recently doctors declared her cancer-free. But employees were shocked to see her in the hospital for a different reason Wednesday.

"We are fighting with the cancer and everything and then this happens," the father said. "It's very hard."

He said the family also survived another ordeal in the form of a bad car crash in December.

The incident began just before 2 p.m. Wednesday at the entrance of Smith's, 4065 S. Redwood. Police initially said the man "walked up to the entrance of the store and proceeded to fire several rounds" inside.

Esmerelda, 3, her 32-year-old mother and another woman in her 20s were each hit in the leg.

However, late Wednesday, police sent the following tweet: "Suspect fired one shot which struck his own leg. Bullet fragmented and hit other three victims."

After the shooting, the gunman ran off toward the street and some nearby apartments. Police set up a containment in the area. Residents of the Redwood Apartments, Shadowbrook Apartments and Somerset Apartments were all advised to shelter in place and call police if they spotted anything suspicious.

About three hours later, police arrested the suspect at Shadowbrook Apartments, 3852 S. 1845 West. The man left the apartment complex on a gurney and was taken to a hospital.

Rufino Cervantez, 36, was later booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, felony discharge with injury and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.

West Valley police had focused their search for Cervantez at Shadowbook Apartments. Morgan Richins, who lives in the complex, said officers were focusing on one apartment.

"(Officers) had multiple shields, their guns drawn pointing up at the second floor. They were definitely letting whoever was in there know that they're coming up regardless if they want them there," she said. "About maybe five minutes later, they did have someone come to the bottom of the stairs — only in handcuffs."

Contributing: Nicole Vowell, Ladd Egan, Annie Knox

Correction: In an earlier version police identified the suspected shooter as Rufino Cervantes. His name is Rufino Cervantez.