This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Salt Lake City man remained behind bars Sunday, a day after he allegedly opened fire on a city street, gunning down one man and wounding another, as well as shooting at an occupied car. An 8-year-old boy was also injured during the ensuing chaos, police said.
Antonio Vasquez, 33, was visiting Michael Eugene Vigil, 36, and another man about 8 p.m. Saturday at a home near 450 N. Grant (750 West). The three men argued in the front yard; police allege Vigil grabbed a handgun and opened fire, bullets raining across an entire city block. Neighbors estimated Vigil fired at least 10 shots. Police spent Saturday night processing a crime scene that stretched from 400 to 500 North.
Vasquez died at the scene, police said. Another man was injured.
Michael Eugene Vigil, 36, was being held in the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of the first-degree felonies of aggravated murder, criminal attempt to commit a capital felony and for a weapons violation, jail records show. He was also being held on suspicion of the misdemeanor crimes of operating a vehicle without insurance, possession of marijuana and reckless endangerment.
Neighbors and court records both indicate that Vigil lived on Grant Street, but police have not said why he allegedly opened fire.
One neighbor told reporters that she and her young son were playing in Jackson Park when the gunfire erupted. They dashed across the street to a family member's house as Vigil, armed with a gun, walked toward them. The mother told reporters that she deadbolted the door moments before Vigil arrived and kicked the door three or four times before giving up.
When police arrived, witnesses said Vigil tossed the gun into a nearby gutter and surrendered to police without further incident.
A probable cause statement released by the jail Sunday alleges that Vigil admitted he shot and killed a man. He allegedly told police he then ran after another person and shot him. As he was firing shots down Grant Street, police said an occupied car was struck by the gunfire. Police said an 8-year-old was also grazed by shrapnel.
Erin Alberty contributed to this report.
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