Altercation leads to shots fired, 4 arrests in Washington City

Stock image | Photo by Olcayduzgun, Getty Images; St. George News

WASHINGTON CITY — Four suspects are in custody following an alleged dispute that started in St. George, moved to Washington and led to the discharge of a firearm Saturday night.

Police respond to an alleged altercation that led to gunfire, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 15, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Police respond to an alleged altercation that led to gunfire, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 15, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News

An argument involving four adults started at a residence in St. George, escalating into a physical altercation, St. George Police Officer Lona Trombley said.

Two of the parties, later identified as Natividad Alf Interiano-Alfaro and Jayron Orlando Cermeno-Santos, returned to their residence in Washington City.

The two St. George residents, identified as Yuder Sanchez and Mercedes Gutierrez, followed the other two to their home where the fighting continued, Trombley said.

During the scuffle, one firearm was discharged several times, Washington City Public Information Officer Ed Kantor said.

Washington City Police were dispatched to the scene in Washington near the intersection of 200 North 200 West at approximately 10:23 p.m.

The suspects were quickly apprehended by responding law enforcement, including assistance from deputies from Washington County Sheriff’s Office and a ranger from the Bureau of Land Management.

It appeared to be a scare tactic,” Kantor said, noting that the shots fired were not aimed at an individual.

Interiano-Alfaro was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police respond to an alleged altercation that led to gunfire, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 15, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Police respond to an alleged altercation that led to gunfire, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 15, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News

 

Emergency responders from Washington City Fire Department examined the three remaining suspects, and no other injuries were reported.

Police were also alerted that Sanchez and Gutierrez left two small children unattended at their St. George residence, Trombley said.

St. George Police forcibly entered the residence and found the unattended children.

Police conducted a lengthy investigation in Washington meant in part to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Officers took statements and combed the grounds for evidence, such as bullet casings.

A shotgun and a handgun were recovered from the scene.

All four suspects are facing numerous charges and were booked into Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility early Sunday morning.

The investigation is ongoing.

St. George News Reporter Cody Blowers contributed to this report.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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11 Comments

  • .... October 16, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Oh my golly gee whiz somebody could off gotten hurt but no injuries were reported. Praise the Lord ! ….this is going 2 be good, here come all the anti immigration whiners LOL !

  • Bob October 16, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    as soon as i read the title i knew it would be illegal alien cholo-gangbanger types

    • Bob October 16, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      seems to be lots of them floating around in Washington

  • Bob October 16, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    will they be deported or just turned loose

    • ladybugavenger October 17, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Obama/Hillary will make them US citizens

  • .... October 17, 2016 at 1:01 am

    and less racist comments towards Mexicans and any other cultures

    • ladybugavenger October 17, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      You used the work Mexicans that makes you a racist lol

      • .... October 17, 2016 at 3:11 pm

        Yeah but give them a Coke and a bag of Cheetos when they get here !

  • Ron October 17, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Sadly we will continue to see and experience more and more of these types of situations as Washington County and its cities have become what is known as “sanctuary cities”.
    Nothing happens to these individuals in the form of true punishment. They are simply “cite and release” cases who are then turned loose back into the community to commit more crimes. Why you may ask?? Simple. The push for growth by county and city leaders to expand their communities requires the “cheap labor” that these “illegals” provide. “Illegals”??, you may ask…. What the articles does not include, is that some of these arrested individuals are being held on immigration “holds”. Wonder why….hummmm…..
    Yeah, you city and county leaders who continue to push for growth need these people to build the luxury homes that the local residents can’t even afford to live in! As long as you leaders, many of you who have ties to developers and contractors, keep[ demanding growth, you will continue to attract this type of individuals here.
    The residents have to just be happy that their right to exercise the 2nd amendment to protect themselves exist. The resident can never count on the local law enforcement to protect them as their hands are tied when it comes to trying to deal with the illegals in this county.
    Here is a suggestion to help curb the push for more growth:

    VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 1. NO MORE TAXES IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED GROWTH. NO MORE SANCUTARY CITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

  • sagemoon October 18, 2016 at 9:15 am

    Scum bags.

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