2 men named as persons of interest in killing of 16-year-old


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SALT LAKE CITY — Police have identified two persons of interest in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy who had been egging vehicles.

On Tuesday, Salt Lake police asked for the public's help in finding Fortunato Nato Villagrana and Jonathan Ivan Padilla-Lopez, both 22. Police say the men's last known residences are in the area where Paris Gustin was shot and killed early on the morning of July 5.

Paris was inside a Honda with two other juveniles driving around and "egging" other vehicles in the Fairpark neighborhood near 600 North and 1100 West when someone in a white Nissan Sentra with fog lights, a small rear spoiler, and tinted back passenger and rear windows fired several shots at them.

Gustin, who was in the front passenger seat, was hit and killed.

On Thursday, Gustin's family, including his mother, made a passionate plea for the public to help them find her son's killer. She encouraged anyone with information to step forward and not be someone who abides by the unwritten code of not snitching.

"Think for just a (moment) what it's like to have life as you know it completely ripped away from you in a matter of seconds," Ashley Gustin said of her only child. "And I know in Glendale and in this area there's a certain code people live by. And this code hurts families. I will have to live the rest of my life without my child because he threw an egg."

On Tuesday, Salt Lake police announced that a combination of tips from the public and the ongoing investigation led them to Villagrana and Padilla-Lopez.

According to Utah court records, a warrant was issued for Villagrana's arrest nearly a year ago for failing to show up in court on a felony theft by receiving stolen property case.

Anyone with information can call police at 801-799-3000. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 274637 using the keyword "TIPSLCPD."

Police say a cash reward is available for information leading detectives to the two men, and to the arrest and conviction of the alleged shooter.

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