Crime
Daniel Ruesga Charged With Murder After Fatal Shooting of Girlfriend Silvia Bahena in Tooele
TOOELE, Utah — A 37-year-old Tooele man has been charged with first-degree murder and four counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child after authorities say he deliberately crashed his pickup truck into his girlfriend’s Tesla before shooting her inside the garage of her home.
The incident occurred Monday, August 31, 2026, at a residence on the 600 block of Kings Landing Road in Tooele, Utah.
According to the allegations, Daniel Ruesga, 37, was involved in an argument with his girlfriend, identified as Silvia Bahena, before the deadly incident.
Investigators allege that Ruesga intentionally drove his Toyota Tundra into the rear of Bahena’s Tesla. He reportedly then entered the garage and shot Bahena.
Ruesga allegedly admitted to investigators that he crashed into the Tesla and shot Bahena.
Bahena was killed in the incident, leaving her four children without their mother.
Authorities said Bahena’s four children were inside the home when the shooting occurred. The children reportedly heard the incident and later discovered their mother dead.
Ruesga now faces four counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, in addition to the first-degree murder charge.
The charges reflect allegations made by authorities, and the case remains subject to court proceedings.
Court records reportedly show that Ruesga had a previous conviction involving the destruction of property belonging to a victim with whom he lived.
According to the records, the case stemmed from an incident in June 2025. Ruesga received a plea in abeyance and was sentenced to six months of probation, along with an anger-management evaluation and counseling.
Despite those previous court-ordered requirements, prosecutors now allege that Ruesga was involved in a fatal act of violence against Bahena.
Ruesga was reportedly a licensed real estate agent and had served as an ambassador for the Tooele Chamber of Commerce.
The allegations have brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting and Ruesga’s previous criminal case.
The shooting remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events leading to Bahena’s death.
Ruesga is facing serious criminal charges in connection with the case. The allegations against him have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.