SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 5, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has concluded that an off-duty Utah Highway Patrol sergeant was legally justified in using deadly force during a Feb. 26 shooting at a state liquor store in Taylorsville.
District Attorney Sim Gill’s office said UHP Sgt. Jeremy Matthews’ use of deadly force against Tyler Traveon Mhaka would likely qualify for Utah’s legal defense of justification and that prosecutors are declining to file criminal charges against the sergeant.
According to the district attorney’s review, Matthews was walking into the State Liquor Store at 4455 S. 2700 West on Feb. 26 when a black Dodge Challenger pulled into the parking lot. The driver, later identified as Mhaka, exited the vehicle and began firing a handgun at another man, identified only as M.S.
Prosecutors said M.S. ran into the liquor store while Mhaka continued firing. Matthews, who was off duty and dressed in plain clothes, returned fire from inside the store. Mhaka dropped his weapon in the store’s entry vestibule and ran into the parking lot, where Matthews pursued and detained him until additional officers arrived, according to the DA’s statement.
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Jadyn I.
Mhaka was taken into custody and treated for gunshot wounds. M.S. also was wounded and received medical treatment.
The district attorney’s office noted that Mhaka has been charged in connection with the incident and that the criminal case remains pending in Utah’s 3rd District Court.
Investigators reviewed witness statements, surveillance video, 911 calls, physical evidence and body-worn camera footage from officers who responded after the shooting. Matthews declined to provide a statement to investigators, which the district attorney’s office said is his constitutional right.
According to the findings, investigators recovered 14 spent 9mm shell casings at the scene. Eight casings matched ammunition from Matthews’ handgun, and investigators concluded he likely fired eight rounds.
The district attorney’s office said surveillance video showed Mhaka firing at M.S. outside the store and continuing to shoot as M.S. ran inside. The video also showed Matthews returning fire after Mhaka entered the store’s vestibule and fired shots into the building, according to the DA’s review.
In its legal analysis, prosecutors concluded the available evidence would likely support a finding that Matthews reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or others. The office said it does not believe it could disprove a justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore declined to prosecute the sergeant.
The findings letter stated that the conclusions are based on the evidence currently available and could change if additional facts emerge.
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Jadyn I.
