This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A West Valley City man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a shooting earlier this week on State Route 201 that seriously injured another driver.
Jimmy Alexis Lopez Jr., 18, was taken into custody Wednesday night at a retail store by agents with the Utah Department of Public Safety's State Bureau of Investigation and the Metro Gang Unit, Sgt. Todd Royce of the Utah Highway Patrol said.
A probable cause statement filed with the Salt Lake County jail says Lopez was identified by multiple witnesses and victims as the shooter in the Tuesday episode.
In addition to attempted murder, Lopez was booked on felony discharge of a firearm in the direction of a vehicle.
Royce said the incident is under investigation and believed to be gang-related. Other people who might have been involved in the crime are being sought, he said.
Lopez — whose aliases are Jimbo and Savage, according to the statement — is accused of firing shots into an SUV and seriously injuring the 18-year-old driver.
The victim was driving west on SR-201 with a 15-year-old passenger on Tuesday at about 4:30 p.m. when the shooting occurred, according to DPS spokeswoman Marissa Villasenor.
Someone in a red sedan with multiple occupants who was driving west next to the SUV allegedly fired shots into the vehicle near 3200 West in West Valley City. The SUV then exited the highway and veered onto a frontage road before stopping. The shooter fled the scene.
The driver was hit at least once and taken to a hospital. The 15-year-old was not injured, Villasenor said.
Lopez is currently on probation for 2015 convictions of third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person and class A misdemeanor attempted possession of a controlled substance.
In March 2015, police officers called to a West Valley City motel on a report of a possible domestic dispute and drug use, found Lopez and a 16-year-old girl in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, vodka and a 9mm handgun, according to court documents.
Earlier this year, Lopez was charged in two alleged gang-related misdemeanor assault cases in which he is accused of beating other individuals, and using a stun gun on one of them.
He also was charged this year with violating a protective order by contacting his ex-girlfriend by telephone.
All three cases are set for disposition in December.
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC