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SALT LAKE CITY — Three men were charged Tuesday with murder in connection with the shooting death of a man inside his room earlier this month.
William Armstrong P-Graham, 20, of Salt Lake City, James Wellah Williams, 20, of Salt Lake City, and Gaethan "Synn" Laguerre, 25, of Sandy, are charged in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; three counts of felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury, a first-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
On April 7, Jose Javier "Jay Jay" Fernandez, 18, was shot and killed in a bedroom at 211 N. Cornell St. (1550 West). An autopsy determined he was shot seven times. Two of the bullet wounds were fatal, the charges state.
At least seven children also live in the house. Prior to the shooting, Williams went into the house and invited the three youngest siblings to go with him to the park, according to charging documents.
As the children were being led away from the house, a neighbor recorded on his cellphone two men wearing bandanas over their faces and walking into the residence, police said. A short time later, gunshots were heard.
Related:
3 men arrested in shooting death of 18-year-old in Salt Lake City
Three men have been arrested after allegedly targeting an 18-year-old man who was shot and killed Thursday.P-Graham and Williams were arrested quickly. Laguerre turned himself in the next day after detectives released his name to the media. Laguerre told several "contradicting stories" to police, the charges state. He allegedly told investigators that he provided "backup" to P-Graham, who had problems with "that boy."
Laguerre said P-Graham first shot Fernandez with a .380 handgun before he shot him using a 9 mm handgun, charging documents state state. Police recovered eight .380 shell casings from the scene and two 9 mm casings.
Williams said P-Graham and Fernandez "had a beef," according to the charges. He claimed his only job was getting the kids out of the house. But Williams gave contradicting statements, and investigators found a text message from Williams to P-Graham stating that he knew where Fernandez was, court documents state.
Bail for the three defendants was set at $1 million each.
