Video of a group of people firing high-powered rifles to ring in 2025 has led to a man’s arrest.
Pleasant Grove Police Chief Danny Reid said the city had higher-than-normal reports of celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.
In one instance, he said, police obtained the video showing several people firing the rifles into what they thought were woods and an embankment.
Instead of a safe area, Reid said, they were firing directly onto Park Road, one of the city’s busiest roadways.
A vehicle traveling on Park Road was struck by the gunfire.
No one was injured, but a projectile that was recovered was a green tip 5.56mm rifle bullet commonly used in an AR-style platform.
Once detectives learned of the location that the weapons were fired, they found a high number of spent 7.62 and 5.56 rifle casings, as well as a live 5.56 green tip rifle round.
“What is scary about this is these individuals were firing high powered rifles directly onto a commonly used roadway,’’ Reid said.
“And what’s most sad and scary is that there was a toddler present and in very close proximity to these highly irresponsible men,’’ the chief said.
“What this does is teach the child that this is ok and what you do on holidays.”
“In fact, while speaking to one of the suspects, he said he had been shooting like that his whole life,’’ he said, “that he used to go in his backyard with his mother and father to shoot on New Year’s Eve.”
“Stop teaching your children that this is OK,’’ Reid said.
Lajuan Collins, 39, is charged reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in city limits.
Collins was arrested on Jan. 10.
