Crime
16-year-old Matthiaz Cantre Lauti Ioane-Register charged with 4 counts of murder in WestFest shooting
A 16-year-old boy has been formally charged with four counts of aggravated murder in connection with the June 15 shooting at the WestFest Carnival in West Valley City, which left three people dead — including a pregnant woman — and multiple others injured.
During a press conference on Friday, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced that Matthiaz Cantre Lauti Ioane-Register, 16, will be prosecuted as an adult.
Gill stated that Ioane-Register is facing a total of 13 criminal charges related to the incident, including four counts of aggravated murder.
The charges stem from a mass shooting that occurred around 9:15 p.m. on the final night of the WestFest Carnival at Centennial Park.
According to the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD), the teen suspect opened fire, allegedly targeting 18-year-old Hassan Lugundi of West Valley City, who died at the scene.
Two other victims, 41-year-old Fnu Reena of West Jordan and an 8-month-old baby boy, were struck by gunfire and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Reena, who was eight weeks pregnant at the time, was not related to the infant. Due to her pregnancy, an additional count of murder was filed.
In total, five people were shot during the incident. In addition to the three fatalities, a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl were both wounded and hospitalized with gunshot injuries to the arm.
They have since been released.
A pregnant woman attempting to escape was also injured while trying to climb a fence.
During the shooting, several officers were in the immediate area. One officer discharged a firearm at the suspect but did not strike him.
Due to the officers’ close proximity to the scene, the 16-year-old was taken into custody within seconds, according to WVCPD spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku.
The teen suspect was initially held in juvenile detention. Although his identity has now been released due to his adult charges, other minors involved in the case — including the infant and two teens who were injured — will not be publicly identified.
District Attorney Gill further confirmed that both the suspect and the intended target, Hassan Lugundi, were affiliated with gangs.
The shooting has had a profound impact on the local community and prompted renewed calls for action to prevent youth violence.
“Our hearts go out to the members of our community who have lost their loved ones,” Gill said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
CHICAGO — Authorities have launched an investigation following a fatal overnight shooting that occurred on the city’s South Side, leaving one man dead.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident took place shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of West 44th Street, within the Grand Boulevard neighborhood.
Officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire and a person shot.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 28-year-old man lying unresponsive on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Police have not yet released the identity of the victim, and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.
Detectives from the CPD Area One unit are leading the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or call 911.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at CPDtip.com to assist investigators.