Man shot and killed in Ogden parking lot

A 15-year-old male shot and killed a 22-year-old man in the parking lot of a crowded convenience store in Ogden, police said.

Two groups of people were gathered at the Kicks 66 gas station at 2983 Washington Blvd. late Friday night and began fighting, said Ogden Police Lt. Tony Fox. The argument concerned "gang matters" between the two groups, Fox said.

The victim, Jesus Sanchez Aparicio, took a baseball bat out of his car and turned to confront the other group, whom he was arguing with, Fox said. When the 15-year-old pulled out a gun, Aparicio turned to leave. The teen then shot him once in the back, Fox said. Aparicio was taken to McKay-Dee Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Fox said the gunman, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was taken to Weber Valley Detention Center in Roy. The parking lot where the shooting took place was relatively full at the time of the shooting, and witnesses are still being questioned.

Both Ogden police and residents are concerned with the recent growing violence throughout the city. In July, two brothers, who police said were known gang members, were shot and injured while in their vehicle. Several days later, a man was shot and injured for what police said was a gang-related matter. Another gang fight followed, in which a man fired a shotgun into a crowd during an argument, wounding five people.

In August, a man open-fired on a wedding party, killing two and injuring two others. The following day, a man was found shot seven times, alive but in critical condition.

Safety in Ogden is a concern for more than just the Ogden police. A new chapter of the Guardian Angels opened in Salt Lake City and Ogden in August because of the increased violence. The group, which is largely credited for helping clean up crime in New York City, patrols unarmed and holds criminals until the police arrive.

Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey also addressed the issue of increased violence, establishing a plan of six initiatives, including a zero tolerance for gang activity, creating a new ninth police area, deporting illegal aliens connected with crimes, hiring crime-reduction officers, evicting any convicted gang members and getting more prison space.

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E-mail: csmith@desnews.com