SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The man who shot and killed University of Utah football player Aaron Lowe in 2021 received the maximum sentence of 18 years to life in prison Monday.
Buk Mawut Buk, 25, pleaded guilty March 11 to Lowe’s murder and the attempted murder of a second person at a party on Sept. 26, 2021.
Buk was sentenced to 15 years to life for one count of first-degree felony murder and three years to life for one count of first-degree felony attempted murder. He was ordered to serve the sentences consecutively.
Police say the shooting followed an argument between Buk, Lowe and other people at the party. During the confrontation, Buk walked over and shot Lowe and the other victim, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
“As both victims were lying injured on the ground, [Buk] continued to shoot them,” the district attorney’s office said in a news release.
Lowe, 21, died at the scene, while the other shooting victim was taken to an area hospital and underwent surgery for multiple injuries, according to the DA’s office.
Police say Buk fled the scene following the shooting. He was arrested Oct. 3, 2021, in Draper.
Lowe’s father and mother both spoke at Buk’s sentencing. Darwin Lowe spoke of his son’s loved ones walking with a limp in their souls since his death, but adding that he forgave Buk the night of the shooting.
Donna Lowe shared how her son’s death has left a hole in her heart that can’t be filled, even if she had 10 more children.
“The senseless violence that took Mr. Lowe’s life left his teammates, classmates, friends, and family in shock,” District Attorney Sim Gill said. “We hope today’s sentence will help the healing process start for not only Aaron Lowe’s family and loved ones, but for the entire Salt Lake County community.”
Lowe was a sophomore cornerback for the Utes at the time of his death. Less than a year earlier, his longtime friend and teammate Ty Jordan died from an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound on Dec. 26, 2020.
Lowe and Jordan had been friends and high school football teammates in Mesquite, Texas, before teaming up again at Utah. After the Utah running back’s accidental death, Lowe changed his number to Jordan’s No. 22.
In August 2021, Lowe became the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, which was created to honor Jordan following his tragic death. The scholarship is now known as the 22 Forever Memorial Scholarship to honor both Jordan and Lowe.
The Utah football program also retired the No. 22 in the players’ honor.
