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KEARNS — A second man has been convicted of murder and aggravated robbery for a 2021 shooting that killed one person and injured two others.
A 3rd District Court jury convicted Jonathan Montrail Johnson on Monday night for the murder of Alonso Garcia-Mendoza, which occurred on March 9, 2021.
Garcia-Mendoza, 32, and two of his friends went to a church parking lot at 5305 W. 5400 South believing they would be participating in a drug deal, according to charging documents.
But when they got there, Johnson, Shihab Wesaga, Dalmar Mohamed Abdi, and a boy who was 15 at the time, instead shot the three victims during an apparent robbery attempt, the charges state. Garcia-Mendoza was killed and one of the friends went to the hospital for two collapsed lungs.
Police said the teen suspect made the plan to meet the victims and rob them, and Johnson and Wesaga were the gunmen.
"When the jury convicted Mr. Johnson on all charges, they sent a powerful message that we will not tolerate gun violence in Salt Lake County. This verdict reflects our unwavering commitment to justice and serves as a step towards healing for the victims' families," said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
The criminal charges Johnson was convicted on include one count of murder, three counts of discharge of a firearm, and aggravated robbery — all first-degree felonies. He was also found guilty on two counts of second-degree felony discharge of a firearm and six counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm.
Johnson will be sentenced on Nov. 27.
Wesaga and Abdi were also charged in April with murder, aggravated robbery, 11 counts of felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. Wesaga was sentenced in July to at least 36 years behind bars. Abdi has a court appearance scheduled for Friday.
