Man shoots brother, then caused Magna crash that killed pregnant woman, police say
Dec 18, 2024, 7:02 AM | Updated: Dec 20, 2024, 6:05 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY — A man who fled the scene of a shooting in West Valley City Tuesday night was the same man who caused a crash in Magna less than an hour later, which left a pregnant woman dead, according to West Valley City police.
Police said the shooting was reported at Tuscany Cove Apartments near Bangerter Highway at 8:39 p.m. Officers arrived to find a 26-year-old man who had been shot in the leg and had significant blood loss. He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Officers said they learned from three witnesses that they had arrived at the complex with the victim in a car. The victim’s brother, identified later as Sasa Scott Hamilton, 26, approached the car and began to argue with the victim. The three witnesses attempted to separate the two of them, but Hamilton pulled out a handgun and shot his brother multiple times in the legs, according to police.
Hamilton had fled the scene in a white car before police arrived, witnesses said, but officers located three shell casings in the area afterward.
A man who shot his brother and fled the scene, police say, was responsible for a crash that happened less than an hour later in Magna. The crash left a pregnant woman dead. (Greg Anderson, KSL TV)
At 9:18 p.m., the West Valley City Police Department was notified of a crash on state Route 201 at the eastbound intersection of 8000 West in Magna. The driver of a white Toyota Sequoia had fled the scene on foot and was believed to be Hamilton, the suspect WVCPD was looking for.
According to Agent Tara Stump with the Utah Highway Patrol, the driver of the second vehicle was a 34-year-old pregnant woman. She was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
On Thursday, the Utah Department of Public Safety identified the woman as Rossana J. Moreno of Magna. A GoFundMe* was set up to help Moreno’s family during their time of grief.
Rossana “Rossy” J. Moreno pictured before her tragic death on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Courtesy Emily Landeen via GoFundMe)
After a county-wide manhunt was activated, WVCPD, UHP and the Unified Police Department searched for Hamilton until he turned himself in, court documents said. Hamilton was arrested at 9:52 p.m., Stump said.
Hamilton told officers he had disassembled the gun he used and discarded it in several different yards. According to court documents he also “admitted to being in a physical altercation with his brother,” and “admitted to shooting (his brother) an unknown amount of times before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.”
Hamilton also told officers he ran a red light moments before the crash on state Route 201.
Officers were able to retrieve the dismantled gun and a black bag after Hamilton was arrested.
Investigators with WVCPD are working to determine the motive of the shooting while the State Bureau of Investigation and UHP investigate the crash.
This story was updated with additional information after its initial publication.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
