A young adult man was rushed to the hospital Monday afternoon after being shot in the right side of the jaw at close proximity.
The shooting occurred in the Provo residential area near 700 West and 300 South shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon, according to Lt. Brandon Post.
Nineteen-year-old Provo resident Alan Ruiz-Zamora was visiting a friend when 20-year-old Orem resident Guillermo Zepeda confronted him in the carport of the residence. Zepeda allegedly brandished a handgun, punched the victim, then shot him in the face at close range, according to police reports.
One witness told officers that Zepeda pulled out a semiautomatic pistol, pointed it at the victim, and said, “You’re going to die tonight.”
Multiple neighbors called 911. Ruiz-Zamora was rushed to the hospital and into surgery. He is currently in stable condition.
Zepeda fled the scene with 19-year-old Provo resident Severo Vine in a red Chevrolet Cavalier. They were pursued by police and taken into custody approximately two hours after the shooting.
Police reports show that Zepeda has a violent criminal history with gang affiliations.
The motive for the shooting is not exactly known, although Provo Police said Zepeda reportedly thought the victim was “making fun of him.” The confrontation was allegedly related to a previous dispute over gang ties.
Zepeda was booked for attempted murder, failure to stop at command of police and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. He is also under custody hold by Immigrations Customs Enforcement. Vine was booked for attempted murder.
The nearby Franklin Elementary School was placed on a precautionary lockdown until classes were dismissed.
