Man shot multiple times near busy street

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A 36-year-old man was in critical condition Saturday after being shot multiple times near a busy street in broad daylight Friday morning.

About 10 a.m. witnesses reported hearing five to seven gunshots in an alley between two businesses just off 3300 South near 300 East.

"I heard the bullets (fire) in rapid succession," said Richard Welch, who had just finished breakfast at a nearby restaurant. "I came running up and I saw this guy lying over there . . . there was blood all over his clothes, just everywhere. He has bullet wounds across his stomach area and his leg."

Yellow police tape surrounded a pair of gym shoes and what appeared to be a shirt that paramedics cut off the victim while treating him, left in a parking lot next to a car with its hood up after paramedics took the victim to the hospital.

South Salt Lake Police Capt. Chris Snyder said detectives had little information. He said detectives had not found any witnesses Friday to the shooting.

Two people were seen driving away in a green Pontiac, possibly a Bonneville, with Utah license plate 054NNW, he said. Another white sedan with two people inside was seen following the first vehicle. It was unknown Friday if all four people were involved in the shooting or if one car was trying to help the victim by following the first car or if either vehicle was involved at all, Snyder said.

Investigators also did not know whether it was a drive-by shooting and there was no indication what the victim was doing prior to being shot.

What has police concerned is the apparent brazenness of the crime.

"It's very unusual," Snyder said. "It's a very busy area on a working day."

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