A father was shot and killed in front of his two young children during what investigators describe as an attempted robbery in West Valley City. The man was rushed to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and later died from his injuries, and police have arrested a 26-year-old man they say pulled the trigger.
According to KUTV, the father, who was not identified by police, was brought to St. Marks Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head before he died of his injuries. Police say the man was sitting in his vehicle with his two minor children when the violence unfolded, per ABC4 Utah.
Investigators identified the suspect as Ryley Gilberto Avila, who ABC4's reporting lists as 26 years old, though KUTV's report lists him as 27. Police say Avila met up with the victim intending to rob him of his cash, and that the encounter escalated into an argument before shots were fired.
Three Shots, One Fatal, Children In The Car
Police say the alleged robbery attempt led to an argument that escalated into three shots being fired, with the victim struck once in the head. The station's report states that the victim's two minor children were seated next to him when two additional shots entered the car. No other injuries were reported.
Witnesses told West Valley City police they identified Avila as the shooter, according to the arrest statement cited in ABC4's reporting. Documents say Avila threatened witnesses, telling them he would kill them too if they spoke with police, and that he fled and hid from officers in the aftermath.
SWAT Team Makes The Arrest
Police ultimately tracked Avila down and arrested him with the help of a SWAT team after he had been hiding from officers. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on one count of first-degree felony aggravated murder, one count of first-degree felony aggravated robbery, and two counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm, the same account notes. He is being held without bail.
ABC4's reporting adds that Avila reportedly has no job and no ties to the community, though the outlet's evidence also indicates he had not yet been formally charged at the time of its report, even as KUTV described him as booked on the listed offenses. Hoodline could not independently resolve that discrepancy. ABC4 says it has reached out to the West Valley City Police Department for more information about the arrest and the alleged murder.
As with any criminal case, the allegations against Avila remain accusations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
