SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, August 9, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake City Police Department arrested a 31-year-old man wanted for murder in Monday’s fatal shooting in the Glendale neighborhood.
The suspect is identified as Jima Gat, the department said Friday evening.
“Gat will be booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of murder and obstruction of justice. Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) safely arrested Gat on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, near 380 S. 300 West.”
Investigation began at 11:54 p.m. on Monday when SLC911 received a call about an unresponsive man on the ground inside of an apartment at 1600 W. Snow Queen Place, police said.
Officers responded and found 41-year-old Andrew Mozart Maka with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
“Paramedics and officers performed lifesaving aid, but Maka died on scene,” the SLCPD statement says.
Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives learned that Maka, Gat, and several others went to the Snow Queen Place apartment and started drinking. While in the apartment, Maka accidentally discharged a handgun, which injured Gat’s brother.
“In response, it is alleged Gat took the gun and shot Maka multiple times.”
Gat, his brother, and others then left the apartment. Detectives believe Gat threw the firearm used into a nearby body of water, the police statement says.
Anyone with information on this case, including having photos or video, is asked to call 801-799-3000 or submit an anonymous tip using the City Protect App and reference case number 24-178422.
This is the seventh homicide in Salt Lake City for 2024.
