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WEST VALLEY CITY — A man who police say shot and killed another man asleep in his basement because he believed the roommate created a "bad feeling in their home" is now facing criminal charges.
Miguel Zamora Bonilla, 21, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; plus discharge of a firearm with injury and obstructing justice, second-degree felonies.
Bonilla is accused of shooting Luis Alberto Cardenas, 21, three times as Cardenas was in bed in Bonilla's basement about 3:15 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2022.
Bonilla's father told police that Cardenas, who was a friend and worked with him, had been renting a room in the basement of their home, 4268 S. 3720 West.
But Bonilla felt that "when Cardenas moved in, there was a bad feeling in their home," according to charging documents. "Miguel said he believed he heard Cardenas laughing at him and his family at night."
On Dec. 29, Bonilla said he woke up about 1 a.m. and "and felt different. Miguel said he knew he had to 'take care of' Cardenas," charging documents state. He said he got dressed and walked through the backyard and around the block before going into Cardenas' room "with the intent of making the shooting look like a home invasion."
Bonilla fired three rounds while standing in Cardenas' doorway before running back outside the house, police say. Bonilla disassembled his gun and scattered pieces in several places as he went down the street and also threw away several pieces of clothing in a dumpster, according to the charges.
Bonilla's father was awakened by the gunshots. He went into the basement and said he knew Cardenas was dead when he saw him, the charges say. He then called his son when he couldn't find him. Bonilla claimed he was with his girlfriend but his father insisted on driving to him and picking him up.
Once he got his son, the father "said he could tell that Miguel had done 'something wrong' and he asked Miguel what he did and why." Bonilla simply said the other man was not good, according to charges. Prosecutors say they believe the killing was premeditated.
