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ST. GEORGE — A 14-year-old girl was shot and killed in St. George and an 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her death.
Police were called to a residence near 600 North and 2450 East about 8:40 p.m. Thursday. When officers arrived, they found the girl suffered “a gunshot wound to the head,” according to a police affidavit.
Anthony Vega was charged Friday in 5th District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; and giving false ID to police, a class C misdemeanor.
St. George police officer Tiffany Atkin said about a half-dozen teens and young adults were gathered at the residence. Neither the victim, whose name has not yet been released, nor Vega lived there, she said.
“Anthony was playing with the handgun, pointing it at several individuals while pulling the trigger. Anthony later ran from the scene, taking the handgun with him, and concealed it so as not to be found. A juvenile witness also admitted that the individuals at the home, including Anthony, were smoking marijuana prior to the incident occurring,” according to the affidavit.
After Vega left the residence, he called one of the people at the gathering.
“Anthony later called one of the juvenile witnesses and during that phone call admitted to shooting the juvenile female. Anthony also gave his current location to the juvenile witness,” according to the affidavit.
When police located Vega, he repeatedly told them he was someone else and that “Anthony was still on the run,” according to police.
Atkin said detectives were working the case until about 5 a.m. Friday.
