SALT LAKE CITY — Three people were arrested Thursday in connection with a gang-related shooting in Salt Lake City in May.
Bryan Jimenez Benitez, 22, Gerardo Bejar Reynoso, 22, and Jose Eduardo Romero Bojorquez, 22, were each booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of two counts of aggravated assault, 24 counts of illegally firing a gun and rioting. Benitez was also booked on suspicion of two counts of drug possession.
Benitez learned on May 25 that his sister had been "brutally assaulted by a rival gang member while attending a party," according to a police booking affidavit.
Benitez, Reynoso and other members of their gang gathered in the area of 1800 West and 450 North "with the intention to fight and/or shoot the rival gang members," the affidavit states. A short time later, the rival gang members drove up in two vehicles.
Benitez and Reynoso ran toward the vehicles and their group fired 24 rounds at them, according to the affidavit. Although vehicles were hit, including vehicles that were already parked along the street and not involved, no injuries were reported.
"(Benitez) was involved in a large-scale shooting that was gang motivated and caused potential danger to the public in a high-density area. Current threats between the group have been intercepted for continued violence," police noted in the arrest report.
Both men were arrested Thursday night following a search warrant being served by police.
