SANDY — A man who was wanted in connection with a gang-related slaying Friday night in West Valley City was found dead here Saturday morning, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The body of David Moukdahan, 21, was found on the outside patio of a second floor apartment near 9500 South and 200 West. Neighbors reported hearing screams followed by a gunshot and then seeing blood on the patio about 7:15 a.m. Saturday, said Sandy police Sgt. Michelle Burnette.
Moukdahan was wanted for questioning in connection with a gang-related shooting at a West Valley Chevron gas station Friday night that left one man dead and another in critical condition. Members of two rival gangs that have a long history of violence ran into each other by chance at the gas station near 3200 West and 3500 South, said West Valley police Capt. Craig Black.
Police believe Moukdahan shot and killed Bojan Mamuzic, 17, and critically injured Brian Chhoun. Black described Mamuzic as an associate of a known gang member. Investigators said up to five shots may have been fired. Originally, detectives believed only one party did the shooting. But Black said they now have information that there may have been an exchange of gunfire.
After the shootings, West Valley detectives and officers from the Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit received information about several vehicles that were seen in the area. They traced those vehicles to the house of a known gang member near 1600 West and 2600 South, where seven people were taken into custody for questioning. All were eventually released, but Black said charges are being considered against some of the individuals.
Police continued to search Friday night and Saturday morning for an eighth individual believed to be involved. That individual was believed to be Moukdahan.
After the shootings, police believe Moukdahan and his girlfriend fled and arrived at the apartment of two friends in Sandy about midnight, Burnette said. Detectives were still investigating Saturday afternoon what prompted Moukdahan to apparently take his own life a few hours later.
There were reportedly several people in the apartment when the shooting occurred, Burnette said. They told police Moukdahan "was involved" in Friday's shooting but investigators did not release further details.
Sobbing family members, including Moukdahan's mother, arrived at the apartment Saturday morning after hearing the news.
Following the deadly string of events that left two people dead and one critically injured in a little more than 14 hours, Black said police were urging other members of the warring gangs not to retaliate and to let law enforcement handle the situation.
"We're taking steps to contact as many people involved (in the gangs) as we can to (tell them) to let police handle it," Black said. "We are doing everything we can to bring this to a legal end. Further retaliation on the street level will only lead to more violence and more deaths. It's senseless. We need to stop it."
Black could not reveal what tactical steps were being taken to prevent more violence but noted police were prepared to deal with, and try to prevent, any more violence.
E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com