MILLCREEK — Unified police investigators say they have recovered the weapon used in a fatal shooting at a party over the weekend.
Modibo Diallo of Murray, 33, was shot and killed while attending a party at 1509 E. 3350 South #2, about 2 a.m. Sunday. Ahmed Ali, 29, was subsequently booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder.
On Monday, police announced they had found the murder weapon in a vehicle parked near the crime scene. Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said the vehicle does not belong to Ali, but detectives believe he tried to dispose of the weapon by placing it in a random car.
Witnesses told police that Ali was "an acquaintance of the group" hosting the party. About 20 people were inside the apartment, according to police. After he arrived, Ali went to the basement where he got into an argument with Diallo, Hoyal said.
Upon hearing gunshots, witnesses went downstairs to investigate and "confronted the suspect," according to Hoyal. Ali allegedly fought his way through the witnesses and ran out the door.
Police tracked Ali down to a garage about three blocks away. Detectives said he was randomly knocking on doors looking for a place to hide before finally breaking into a garage. Unified police's SWAT team surrounded the residence and Ali surrendered about three hours later.
— Pat Reavy