Victim in I-15 shooting dies

A man who was shot in what police are now calling a gang fight on I-15 has died.

Cesar Ramirez, 18, died early Thursday from his wounds, the Utah Highway Patrol said.

"It has now turned into a homicide investigation," Utah Department of Public Safety Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said Thursday.

The UHP said last week's shooting on the I-15 collector near 2100 South appears to have been the result of a gang dispute. About 15 minutes prior to the shooting, Ramirez's Jeep Cherokee and a dark-colored sports car were caught on surveillance cameras near 900 South and West Temple. Authorities said the two vehicles may have exchanged gang signs and words, which led to the shooting.

Ramirez was shot in his left armpit. He managed to pull the vehicle over. A large portion of the road was closed at the height of the afternoon commute while police investigated. Ramirez's passenger initially claimed that it was a road rage incident, saying Ramirez had been text messaging while driving.

The passenger is being held in the Utah County Jail on an unrelated charge. Police have not found the shooter's car, but Nigbur said the investigation is making "good progress."

"We're receiving tips. We're working leads that we've created ourself," Nigbur said Thursday. "We feel confident the investigation is moving forward. We still need the public's help."

Police are seeking the people inside a red car that was at the intersection of 900 South and West Temple to tell them what may have led to the fight. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact the UHP at 801-887-3800.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com