New person of interest named in shooting death of Salt Lake teen

New person of interest named in shooting death of Salt Lake teen

(Derek Petersen, KSL TV, File)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Homicide detectives Wednesday named a new person of interest in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy who had been egging vehicles.

Salt Lake police are looking for Martin Antonio Cruz, 22, calling him a "person of interest" in the killing of Paris Gustin.

Gustin was inside a Honda with two other juveniles driving around and "egging" other vehicles in the Fairpark neighborhood near 600 North and 1100 West on July 5, 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 shot and killed.

In August, police named two persons of interest in the case, Fortunato Nato Villagrana, 22, and Jonathan Ivan Padilla-Lopez, 23.

In September, police arrested Padilla-Lopez after he allegedly rammed a West Valley police car and led officers on a chase. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of two counts of assault on a police officer.

Martin Antonio Cruz, 22. (Photo: Salt Lake City Police)
Martin Antonio Cruz, 22. (Photo: Salt Lake City Police)

After Salt Lake police questioned Padilla-Lopez, they determined he was no longer a person of interest in Gustin's death.

As of Wednesday, Villagrana had not been found and was still wanted for questioning. Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robert Ungricht would not say how Cruz came to be a person of interest or what his possible connection to the case might be.

Cruz is described as Hispanic, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and 158 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He may also have piercings in his ears and lip.

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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