Salt Lake County prosecutors have filed murder charges in the wake of a violent drug deal, and Salt Lake police have issued a warrant for the arrest of the suspect, who has eluded capture.
Pedro P. Garcia, 32, was charged Tuesday in 3rd Circuit Court with criminal homicide, a first-degree felony. He is accused of killing Allen Raymond Duke, 41, of Salt Lake City's Avenues district.Police said Allen may not have been directly involved in the drug deal that resulted in his death.
Allen and a friend were with several other people, including a man who was dealing drugs, early Friday in the Alta Motel Lodge, 1899 S. State.
Police said Garcia and a companion bought some cocaine from the drug dealer, then left, only to return complaining of the drug's quality. The pair demanded a refund, Salt Lake Police Sgt. Ron Millard said.
Allen and his friend left the motel while the argument continued. As Allen and his friend drove off in an open-top vehicle about 5 a.m., Garcia allegedly pulled a small-caliber rifle from his car and fired at least six shots.
Two of the shots hit Allen in the head and chest. He died at LDS Hospital. Court records say the head wound killed him.