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SANDY — A 14-year-old boy charged with shooting and attempting to kill a 16-year-old boy during an after-school fight at Union Middle School did most of the instigating prior to the fight, according to a newly unsealed search warrant affidavit.
Joshua Cordova was shot in the head and neck on Oct. 25 when he met the 14-year-old after school on the north end of Union Middle School grounds, 615 E. 8000 South, to fight. Cordova survived his injuries.
The 14-year-old was dating Cordova's ex-girlfriend, according to the warrant filed in 3rd District Court. Cordova found the 14-year-old on Facebook, added him as a friend, and then the two began arguing through Facebook messenger, the warrant states.
"(The younger boy) admitted to instigating much of the fight, which is evident through the Facebook messages that were sent to Josh via Facebook messenger. Several of the messages discuss wanting to fight, threatening to 'smash in your skull until your own family can't recognize the bloody pulp that's left,' and insulting the victim's dead parents," the warrant states.
When the two met after school to fight, "Joshua approached (the boy) and stuck his arms out, telling (the boy) to shoot him and reunite him with his deceased mother. (The boy) removed a firearm from his backpack and held it at his side as Josh continued to yell at him, telling him to shoot him," the warrant states.
After shooting the 16-year-old student once, causing him to fall to the ground, the boy stood over him and fired two more rounds, according to the affidavit.
The 14-year-old was charged in juvenile court with attempted murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony; and possession of a gun on school property, a class A misdemeanor. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has said he will seek to have the teenager certified to face charges as an adult.
KSL has opted not to name the 14-year-old at this time.
After twice being delayed, the boy is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on Dec. 1.
