CRIME

Midvale teen arrested in fatal stabbing now charged in 2 murder cases

Jul 17, 2023, 3:54 PM

A West Jordan man accused of shooting and killing another man at a Halloween party in 2021 has been...

A West Jordan man accused of shooting and killing another man at a Halloween party in 2021 has been found guilty of murder. (Pixabay)

(Pixabay)

SALT LAKE CITY — A 17-year-old boy already charged as an adult with shooting and killing a man in West Valley City is now accused of stabbing another man to death about a year later downtown.

Julian Eli Lopez, of Midvale, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony.

He is one of three teens recently charged with murder in the June 4, 2022, shootings of two men during a birthday party at an apartment near 2935 S. Whistling Lane. Elijah Isaiah Brown, 23, was killed in that incident and Alexander John Ogilvie, 21, was critically injured.

The fatal stabbing occurred about 2:40 a.m. on April 30. “People were gathered outside a nightclub after it closed enjoying music when a fight broke out between different groups, resulting in the victim being stabbed,” according to charging documents.

Oscar Vera, 28, was stabbed near 32 E. Exchange Place. He died from his injuries on May 2. According to witnesses, there was an after-party going on outside of a club when two groups got into a fight. Police said they were given various accounts about what happened, including misinformation.

On May 19, Magaly Bravo, 19, was arrested after detectives located surveillance video that showed her at the crime scene and determined her “initial statement to law enforcement that she was not there when the fight broke out was untrue,” charging documents state. Gabriel Gonzalez, 20, was also injured during the fight that night. Police say Gonzalez “claimed that he was not involved in the fight and that he just got too close. Gonzalez stated that he didn’t know the guy who stabbed him or anyone else that was involved in the fight.”

Investigators put the pieces of their case together, however, using a photo that shows “Lopez reengaging with the victim and his group after the initial fight had concluded and proceeding to stab the victim, who can be seen clutching his chest after the stabbing,” the charges allege.

The Metro Gang Unit took the 17-year-old into custody on May 2 and Lopez was charged two days later as an adult in connection with the 2022 shooting. He was 16 at the time of that killing.

Gonzalez, of West Valley City, and Bravo, of Murray, were also charged Monday with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, in connection with the fatal stabbing.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

1 hour ago

Friends and family leaving flowers and mementos in front of Heather Barela's photo....

Jacob Freeman

Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

Charges have officially been filed against a 15-year-old accused of killing a family member and wounding another in Santa Clara on Jan. 30.

13 hours ago

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings q...

Darby Sparks, KSL

Defense questions motive in Jordan High School teen stabbing death

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings questions of possible gang motive.

1 day ago

Rubicon Contracting trucks parked in Bountiful on Dec. 5, 2023. Utah is asking for its case against...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah seeks dismissal of labor trafficking charges in lieu of federal investigation

The Utah Attorney General's Office is asking for state charges against a Davis County general contracting company accused of labor trafficking to be dismissed because of a pending federal investigation.

1 day ago

On Wednesday a probation fugitive fled police leading to a high speed car chase involving several p...

Diana Jones

Multi-department car chase leads to capture of fugitive

ELWOOD, Utah — On Wednesday, a probation fugitive fled from police in a high-speed car chase that involved multiple police departments. At approximately 12:45 p.m., Weber County Adult Probation and Parole received a tip on the location of 24-year-old Brandler Stone. How he became a wanted person In Aug. 2024, Stone was sentenced to serve up […]

2 days ago

squad car SLCPD...

Michael Houck

Convicted felon accused of kidnapping and threatening a security guard

A man is being accused of threatening a security guard with a broken shard of glass and demanding he take him to a gas station.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Midvale teen arrested in fatal stabbing now charged in 2 murder cases