Man arrested in West Jordan shooting charged in kidnapping case

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SALT LAKE CITY — A man police believe was responsible for both a kidnapping and a shooting within a week of each other has been charged in the abduction case.

Victor Gabino Perez, 32, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony; illegal discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony; possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.

On May 24, Perez went to the home of Samantha June Medina, 24, and demanded that she leave with him, according to charging documents. When she refused, a shot was fired into the door from the outside, the charges state. Perez then allegedly told Medina "the next one wouldn't miss her."

Perez then "put (Medina) in a headlock, held the gun to her head, forced her into a vehicle and drove away," according to the charges.

Medina was found later that night at a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Perez was arrested by West Jordan police investigating the shooting of Manuel Herrera, 31, on Wednesday. Investigators believe Perez drove up to Herrera near 3900 West and 7800 South, and shot him multiple times in the torso.

He was arrested in that case for investigation of attempted murder, a restricted person in possession of a firearm, and illegal discharge of a firearm in connection with the shooting.

As of Friday, police did not believe the kidnapping and shooting incidents were connected.

Utah court records show Perez has a lengthy criminal history of mostly theft, burglary and drug-related crimes.