Payson, Utah — Five individuals were arrested following a drive-by shooting that occurred in Payson on Tuesday, according to the Payson Police Department. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from a prior altercation, has left the community shaken and raised concerns about escalating violence.
The suspects—Damien Cristobal, 18, Saul Gomez-Alatorre, 18, Eric Jovanny Angeles Loeza, 18, Juan Artemio Gomez Castellon, 20, and Brayan Acuna, 21, all residents of Payson—were apprehended after police conducted a high-risk traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Impala, which matched the description provided by witnesses.
The events leading to the shooting began earlier that day at the VASA Fitness Center in Spanish Fork, where one of the victims allegedly was assaulted. According to police affidavits, the victim recognized one of his attackers as Saul Gomez-Alatorre, a person he knew from school.
Later that evening, the victim and two others traveled to Gomez-Castellon’s neighborhood with the intention of confronting the suspect’s parents about the assault. Upon arriving, they encountered the same group of individuals in the white Chevrolet Impala. At that point, shots were reportedly fired from the vehicle at the victim’s car before the suspects fled the scene.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire near 500 North and 700 East in Payson, where a male victim reported that his car was shot at while he was inside. Upon inspecting the vehicle, investigators found two bullet holes on the passenger side rear quarter panel, consistent with gunfire. A search of the suspects’ vehicle yielded a .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol, an extended magazine, and a large quantity of THC cartridges. Shell casings recovered from the scene matched the firearm found in the vehicle.
All five suspects were booked into the Utah County Jail on multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree felony attempted murder, second-degree felony criminal mischief, two counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with intent to distribute. Additionally, the charges included gang enhancements due to the suspects allegedly working in concert as a group.
The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities have emphasized the severity of the charges, particularly given the young age of the suspects and the violent nature of the crime.