Man accused of shooting fellow partygoer 7 times in West Valley City

WEST VALLEY CITY — A man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly shooting another man seven times at a weekend birthday party, police said.

Omar Cortez Izarraras, 21, was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of attempted murder and eight counts felony discharge of firearm, according to a police affidavit filed in support of his arrest.

The shooting occurred 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning at a birthday party in the area of 2300 S. 1300 West in West Valley City, said West Valley Police Lt. Jeff Conger. Several people were in attendance celebrating a woman turning 21.

“Towards the end of the party an argument broke out between the victim and Omar,” according to the affidavit.

Details about what led up to the argument were not released.

At one point, Izarraras pulled out a gun and fired eight shots, striking the other man seven times, police said. Izarraras then allegedly fled the scene.

After he was shot, the man momentarily woke up and identified Izarraras as the person who had shot him, according to the affidavit.

Conger said police believe Izarraras was dating the sister of the other man.

The shooting victim was taken to a hospital in “extremely critical” condition and remained on a ventilator as of Saturday night, police said. As of Sunday, his condition was considered serious.

The man’s father told the Deseret News he is grateful to the officers who responded and helped take his son to a hospital. He is expected to survive, according to his father.