Killings of 2 teen friends 2 weeks apart may be connected, police say

MAGNA — A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for investigation of murder in the shooting death of another 17-year-old a week ago.

Police also announced Friday they believe the shooting of Will Ryan, 17, in Magna could be connected to the shooting death of Ryan's friend, Romeo Rodriquez, 14, that occurred two weeks earlier in West Valley City.

On Friday, Unified police announced that a 17-year-old was arrested for Ryan's death and booked into Salt Lake Juvenile Detention for investigation of murder, aggravated assault and felony discharge of a firearm. The boy's name has not yet been released. Should prosecutors decide to charge him with murder, they could file the charges directly in adult court or could choose to charge him in juvenile court.

On Aug. 19, Ryan was standing in front of his house, 8037 W. 3380 South, when he was killed during a drive-by shooting. A second boy, 17, was also shot. He has since been released from the hospital.

On Tuesday, the white 2002 Volkswagen Jetta believed to be involved in the incident was found abandoned in Woods Cross, said Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke.

On Thursday, the 17-year-old suspected shooter, who is from Salt Lake County and has gang ties, was arrested without incident, Lohrke said. No other details about his arrest were immediately available.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and more arrests are possible, he said.

Lohrke said Unified officers are working with other police agencies in the valley to determine whether the shooting of Ryan is related to any other recent gang-related shootings. Detectives strongly suspect the incident is tied to the killing of Rodriguez on Aug. 3.

Rodriguez was shot in the face while sitting in the back seat of a truck during a confrontation with another group at Kings Point Park near 1310 W. 3700 South in West Valley City. Frank Tsinnijinnie, 18, of West Valley City, was charged in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; two counts of discharge of a firearm, a second-degree felony; and obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony. All charges are subject to gang enhancements at sentencing if he's convicted, according to charging documents.

Ryan had two Facebook pages and paid homage to Rodriguez on both of them. A picture from Rodriguez's funeral was the banner for one of the pages, and like Rodriguez, Ryan is wearing red in many of his pictures and flashing signs with his hands.

Other recent incidents of youth violence in Salt Lake County include:

• July 15 — A 15-year-old boy was arrested following a series of aggravated robberies at convenient stores in Midvale, Salt Lake City and West Valley City. In at least one case, a gun was held to a clerk's head, according to police. Detectives say two other juveniles were also involved.

• June 5 — A 15-year-old boy shot another teen during a low-level marijuana deal in a parking lot at 4400 South and 1500 East in Salt Lake City. The teen, a documented gang member, was arrested by U.S. marshals in Idaho and returned to Utah to face charges. Prosecutors are attempting to have him certified as an adult.

• May 30 — Fernando Aranda, 16, of Kearns, was shot and killed near 4700 W. Thayn Drive (3935 South) following an argument between two groups. The shooting came four hours after a 15-year-old boy was shot in the abdomen at 3810 S. Redwood Road. The boy survived his injuries, according to police.

• Feb. 6 — A 16-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly stabbing a 53-year-old man multiple times in his apartment, 204 W. 200 North in Salt Lake City. The man survived.

• Jan. 26 — A 15-year-old boy was paralyzed after being shot in the back near 3740 W. 3240 South during a confrontation between two groups that had been feuding, according to police. Detectives believe that incident had ties to the shooting of a 14-year-old girl in the parking lot of Valley Fair Mall five days earlier.

Related topics