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SALT LAKE CITY — A Kearns man wanted by federal authorities now also faces a murder charge in Salt Lake City.
Jared Charles Lance, 41, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with murder and aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies, plus possession of a firearm by a restricted person and obstructing justice, second-degree felonies.
On May 29, Salt Lake police responded to a shooting in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 1790 S. West Temple. They arrived to find Robert Joseph Barros, 40, lying face down on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound between his shoulder blades, according to charging documents. Barros died at the scene, despite lifesaving efforts by first responders.
According to a witness, Lance pulled up behind another vehicle that was parked, got out and shot Barros, who had been sitting in the driver's seat of the car in front of him, the charges state.
"And I'm taking this car," the witness heard Lance yell, according to the charges.
Barros then staggered out of the car before falling to the ground. Lance took Barros' vehicle and drove off, while a second man drove away in the car that Lance had arrived in, police say. That vehicle was later found abandoned a block away from the shooting.
Detectives traced Barros' phone, which was not found at the crime scene, and it led them to a residence in Kearns where Lance was living. The car Lance took was found in the driveway, according to the charges.
Police said Lance "has been a fugitive for months, avoiding apprehension on a federal warrant for a probation violation on possession of a weapon." He was convicted in federal court in August after escaping while previously in custody, and was placed on three years of supervised release.
State prosecutors further note in charging documents that since 2008, Lance has violated his parole or the conditions of his release at least five times.
