Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A documented gang member, Tayden Huntsman, is charged with killing Hugo Lucero.
- Huntsman allegedly shot Lucero after questioning his gang loyalty at a party in West Jordan.
- Police say surveillance video shows Huntsman firing at Lucero, who was shot three times.
WEST JORDAN — A documented gang member has been charged with fatally shooting a 19-year-old man while his back was turned because he allegedly questioned the man's gang loyalty.
Tayden Bentley Huntsman, 19, of Layton, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; and witness tampering, a third-degree felony.
On March 9, West Jordan police responded to a shooting outside a house party at 7987 S. 6453 West.
"Upon arrival, police noted a group of people were gathered around a man lying on the ground next to a parked car with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived. The victim, later identified as Hugo Lucero, was transported to the hospital but was pronounced deceased before arrival," according to charging documents.
Detectives learned that both Huntsman and Lucero had arrived at the party with different groups and that during the party, Huntsman "questioned the victim about his gang loyalty and asked him why he was hanging out with a bunch of white boys," the charges state.
Huntsman left the party before Lucero and then waited for him just outside the house. Lucero left the party with friends and was walking toward his car when he was confronted by Huntsman. According to surveillance video collected by detectives, "the victim appeared to interact with (Huntsman) while he continued to walk backwards toward the vehicle. (Huntsman) waited for the victim to turn his back and fired 10 shots toward the victim knowing there were people inside of the vehicle," the charges state.
"Surveillance (video) showed Hugo fall behind (a) vehicle. He then stood back up. Another shot is fired, and Hugo dropped to the ground," according to the charges.
An autopsy determined that Perez was shot three times. The rear car window was also shot out, and police observed multiple bullet holes in the vehicle when they arrived, the charges state.
Days after the shooting, police received an anonymous tip that Huntsman may be the gunman, according to charging documents. Investigators then talked to a person who claimed Huntsman said after the shooting that it was "just gang stuff," according to the charges.
On March 13, Huntsman was arrested. A warrant served on his cellphone showed he was in the area of the Weber River for about three hours following the shooting, and detectives found a text message telling him to "throw it in a river," apparently referring to the gun used in the killing.
Prosecutors say as of Monday, the gun had not been found.
