SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 25, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Officers arrested two men overnight after multiple reports of 10 shots fired in the Central neighborhood in Salt Lake City.
After being alerted at 11:26 p.m. Friday, Salt Lake City police responded to the area of 625 S. Washington St. They “did not find any active fighting and did not find any gunshot victims,” says a statement from SLCPD PR. “Witnesses described a chaotic scene with several people arguing, which led to the shooting.”
After the shooting, those involved, including several witnesses, left the area in cars, the news release says.
“Detectives with the SLCPD’s Gang Unit, while responding to the scene, saw a car matching the description provided by witnesses leaving at a high rate of speed. Detectives conducted a traffic stop near Bryant Avenue and State Street in the Ballpark neighborhood. During their investigation, gang detectives recovered a firearm that they later determined to be stolen.”
Those arrested were Athel Morgan, 19, and Diang Kuajian, 21.
Morgan was arrested for investigation of alleged:
- Theft/receiving firearm or operable motor vehicle, a second-degree felony
- Possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a third-degree felony
- Possession of controlled substance marijuana/spice, a class B misdemeanor
Kuajian was arrested for investigation of alleged:
- Possession of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, a third-degree felony
- Two counts of possession of controlled substances schedule I/II/analog, a class A misdemeanor
A search of the car, a silver Volkswagen Jetta, turned up the stolen gun, a Glock, and substances identified as marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine, the men’s arrest documents say.
Morgan also told officers, post Miranda, that he had purchased the gun about a year prior, and knew it was stolen, his affidavit says.
Both men were jailed, and ordered held without bail.
