Man charged in connection with Salt Lake shooting New Year’s Day
A 30-year-old man was arrested Thursday night in connection with a New Year’s Day shooting in Salt Lake.
Police said officers tracked the man down to a hotel in Waikiki and detained him after a short foot chase.
Vernal Stewart, who did not give police an address, was arrested on Walina Street at 9:30 p.m. He was charged with first-degree hindering prosecution. His bail was set at $50,000.
Rodney J. Whipple, 26, was arrested in January in connection with the shooting. He has been charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree attempted murder, assault in the second degree and three firearms charges. He is being held on $500,000 bail.
Police said Whipple confronted three victims — a 33-year-old man, a 32-year-old man and 25-year-old female — at about 2:25 a.m. Jan. 1 and fired at least six shots, grazing one victim.