SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, Aug. 16, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A third person has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at Mt. Olympus Trailhead on Aug. 3.
Alex Daniel Ruiz-Martinez, 19, was arrested Thursday for his alleged role in the death of Naod Welday, 18.
Ruiz-Martinez is being held without bail in the Salt Lake County jail for investigation of murder and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies; aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; and assault, a class B misdemeanor.
Mateo Martinez, 20, and a 15-year-old boy previously were arrested in what the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is calling a gang-related shooting.
“We remain dedicated to ensuring all those responsible for this homicide are brought to justice,” Sheriff Rosie Rivera said. “Our deputies and detectives continue to work hard on this case. Their efforts have paid off with another successful arrest.”
Police say the shooting occurred in the early morning hours Aug. 3 in the parking lot for the Mt. Olympus Trailhead.
Welday was inside a vehicle with two friends when an altercation with four other males began, Ruiz-Martinez’s arrest documents say.
“The suspects forced their way into the locked car by breaking windows and reaching into the car to unlock and open the doors. During the altercation, [Welday] was shot numerous times and died on scene,” the affidavit says.
One of the friends in the car with Welday was assaulted with a hammer and sustained a head wound requiring medical treatment, arrest documents say. The other friend in the car also was injured from being punched, according to the sheriff’s office.
Arrest documents say Ruiz-Martinez, Martinez and the 15-year-old boy are documented members of the Florencia 13 gang.
“This gang is known for its violent crimes to include shootings and aggravated assaults,” the affidavit says.
Investigators used forensic and digital evidence to link Ruiz-Martinez to Welday’s death, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies arrested Ruiz-Martinez during a traffic stop Thursday. He was in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest, court documents say.
