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MAGNA — An arrest warrant has been issued for man in connection with a murder investigation in Magna that may have been sparked by gang rivalry.
Noah Ezequiel Valenzuela Sanchez, 22, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; and 12 counts of illegally shooting a gun, a third-degree felony.
On April 8, Unified police were called to 2617 S. Ponsonby Street (7250 West) on a report of a shooting.
"The caller reported that two men were in a physical altercation and one of the males pulled out a gun and started shooting at the man in the other vehicle," according to charging documents.
When officers arrived, Fernando Ruesga, 20, of Magna, was found deceased inside a Dodge Charger with a gunshot wound to his head, the charges state. Thirteen shell casings were found close to the car.
Witness told detectives that Sanchez and Ruesga had gotten into a fight before separating and each going to his own car. As Ruesga began to drive away, Sanchez pulled out a gun and fired at him 13 times, the charges allege.
A woman, who prosecutors say has two children with Ruesga but is Sanchez's girlfriend, told police that the two men "had a beef with each other due to their gang affiliation," according to the charges.
Police say Sanchez drove off in a Maserati after the shooting. The car was found abandoned in an apartment complex in Salt Lake City on April 12. A witness told police that after Sanchez ditched the car in the parking lot, then got into a silver SUV and drove off.
Using cellphone data and at least one eyewitness, Salt Lake police said they identified Sanchez as the gunman.
"The defendant and his vehicle were placed at the scene of the homicide. An eyewitness identified the defendant as the shooter, and data from T-Mobile and the defendant's vehicle also places him at the scene at the time of the shooting," according to the charges. "Despite numerous efforts, law enforcement has been unable to locate (him) and it is believed that he has left the state."
