Gang rivalry and its tragic aftermath prompted prosecutors Friday to seek the death penalty for an 18-year-old man who burst into a West Valley apartment and fatally gunned down one teen and injured another.
"This is a sad day in my life," Salt Lake District Attorney Dave Yocom said. In his 30-year-career as a prosecutor, Yocom said he has never sought the death penalty against someone so young. He believes Solomon Lee Johnson is the youngest person in Salt Lake County in 40 years to face a possible execution."It's tragic," Yocom said. "But I hope violent young criminals, including gang members, will hear the message loud and clear. We will seek the most severe punishment possible -- including the death penalty."
It was bad blood between two gangs that authorities allege led Johnson to crash a party at the Lexington Park Apartments, 3685 S. 2280 West, early Nov. 6.
Johnson, despite being told he was not welcome, forced his way into the apartment, pulled out a .32-caliber pistol and fired three shots at point blank range into Wilber Canales, killing the 16-year-old boy, charges state. He then turned the gun on Alex Suaste Molina, 18, and allegedly shot him in the stomach.
Authorities say the shooting unfolded after three people left a party at the apartment complex upset, threatening they would return with a gun.
By 1:30 a.m., eight people, among them Johnson, forced their way in to "take care of business," the charges state. They talked of bringing guns for intimidation, and they talked of assaulting the people inside, who police say belonged to a rival gang.
When the door was slammed on the intruders, police say, Johnson and the others forced their way in, and the shooting began.
In addition to the capital murder charge, prosecutors also filed one count of attempted murder against Johnson in connection with Molina's shooting. Molina was in critical condition at University Hospital Sunday, but officials declined to update his condition.
Johnson remains in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.
Johnson's arrest and subsequent charges came after an intense investigation by the Metro Gang Task Force. West Valley Police Lt. Kelly Rushton said detectives worked round the clock to come up with witnesses who would detail what played out in the apartment.
"There were an awful lot of people at the party involved one way or the other," Rushton said. "The fact that they could get a statement was a feat in and of itself. "
Rushton said Johnson's arrest does not mean the investigation is over. Five people -- three adults and two juveniles -- also have been arrested in connection with the slaying, but official charges have yet to be filed.