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SALT LAKE CITY — A jury on Friday found Ahmed Sharif-Mohamed Ali guilty of murder nearly a decade after he pulled out a gun during an argument at a Millcreek party.
On Feb. 22, 2015, Modibo Diallo, 33, of Murray, and Ali got into a fight at a gathering near 3300 South and 1500 East. Prosecutors say Ali pulled out a gun and shot Diallo, who was unarmed, then walked up to him and fired a second shot.
Ali fled the scene. He was found in a garage about three blocks away and surrendered about three hours after Unified police's SWAT team surrounded the residence.
Ali, 39, of Millcreek, was found guilty on Friday of murder and felony discharge of a firearm, first-degree felonies.
Although Ali was found competent to stand trial in 2015, motions related to his mental health and Ali's lack of cooperation with his attorneys, judges and evaluators led to more delays, according to a statement from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. He was found incompetent to stand trial in 2019, and then a judge found he had been restored to competency in September 2021.
"Justice does not always move quickly, but this office and the prosecutors that work here are dedicated to pursuing accountability for crimes committed in our community," Gill said.
He said he hopes Diallo's family feels that justice is served in the case.
"Though it may not be perfect justice, if it was Mr. Diallo would be here today, it is some measure of justice that I hope can help Mr. Diallo's loved ones the chance to begin to heal from their tragic loss," Gill said.
Ali is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20.
