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MAGNA — An 18-year-old Magna man was charged with murder Wednesday for a gang-related shooting he allegedly committed a year ago.
Joe Perez was charged as an adult with murder, a first-degree felony, for allegedly shooting and killing Carlos Martinez, 40, in May of 2014. Perez is also accused eight counts of illegal discharge of a firearm, two first-degree felonies and six second-degree felonies. He is also charged in 3rd District Court with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.
Perez, who turned 18 last month, was already in police custody for an unrelated matter when the charges were filed, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
Martinez was found with multiple gunshots wounds outside his home, 3807 S. Armoridge Lane (8180 West), on May 4, 2014. He died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Perez, who was 17, and another man got into an argument with Martinez earlier in the day about "gang representation" in the area, according to charging documents. Martinez's daughter told police her father and her boyfriend initially sought out Perez to continue the argument.
Investigators learned Perez wanted to renew the dispute for a third time in the same day "and wanted to retaliate," the charges state. He waited for Martinez to exit the front door of his home and allegedly fired multiple shots at him.
Unified police say they received this information from Skyler Burnasconi, 19, of Magna. He told police he transported Perez to Martinez's home and saw him shoot Martinez.
Burnasconi drove Perez away from the crime scene immediately after the shooting, charging documents state. Perez hid the murder weapon he used in Burnasconi's car and came back for it the next day, according to police.
"As of right now, he is not facing any charges in the (murder) case," Hoyal said of Burnasconi.
In January, Burnasconi pleaded guilty to driving with no driver's license in his possession and underage drinking, both misdemeanors. Utah state court records show he was also charged in May and August of 2014 with retail theft, underage drinking, using a vehicle without insurance and drug possession. Those charges were dropped in exchange for his two guilty pleas.
Martinez's daughter reportedly confirmed Perez was one of the men arguing with her father after being shown a Facebook photo by police, the charges state.
Perez's initial court date has not been scheduled.
