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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.