This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A soccer game at a city park in West Valley City turned violent Saturday when a fan was stabbed by a teenager cheering for a rival team. West Valley City police said a 16-year-old walked up to a 33-year-old man about 1 p.m. near 3200 West and 3200 South and stabbed him once in the chest with a folding knife. The incident apparently stemmed from a disagreement between two families supporting rival teams at the game, said West Valley City police Lt. Bill Merritt. Investigators also are examining whether the incident was gang-related and not simply an argument over soccer, he said. Witnesses said the teenager walked up to the victim from behind, pushed him and stabbed him, Merritt said. The victim was flown by helicopter to University Hospital. He underwent surgery and remained in critical condition late Saturday. The teenager was arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center, Merritt said.
- Melinda Rogers
