Fight, stabbing in West Valley sends three to hospital

WEST VALLEY CITY — Two men were smacked by a pipe and another was stabbed late Saturday night in what police believe was a gang-related fight.

West Valley City police say two brothers and a friend were hanging out on the south side of the Aspenwood Apartments, 4139 S. 4080 West, when they were approached by five or six other people and the two groups began to argue.

The argument turned into a fight. When a neighbor saw the fight and went downstairs to break it up, he was smacked in the head with a pipe, police said.

Instead of calling police, the neighbor, a man in his 40s, grabbed a knife from his apartment and went outside and stabbed a 19-year-old man, one of the brothers, in the lower back, police said.

By the time police arrived and the fight scattered, the other brother, a 24-year-old man, also had been hit in the head with a pipe and was later taken to a nearby hospital for surgery. The stabbing victim also was taken to a hospital but has been released, police said.

The suspect was treated at a hospital for injuries to his head but has not been arrested. West Valley Police Lt. Dalan Taylor said detectives are reviewing the case and considering charges.

Police aren't sure what started the fight but believe it may be gang-related. The incident is under investigation.

— Lana Groves