An afternoon run to a Taylorsville state liquor store ended in gunfire and felony charges, after prosecutors say a 23-year-old Magna man opened fire inside the shop, wounding a customer and drawing return shots from an off-duty trooper.
Prosecutors on Friday charged the man with attempted murder after the mid-afternoon shooting, which investigators say started with a road-rage confrontation at a nearby red light. Both the victim and the suspect were hospitalized in stable condition. Authorities allege the suspect fired seven rounds and chased the victim into the store while other customers were inside.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the trouble began on Feb. 26 at a red light near 3500 South and 2700 West, where the driver behind the eventual victim repeatedly honked. The victim pulled into the Utah State Liquor & Wine Store and was shot as he tried to go inside. Witnesses told police the suspect followed him into the store and kept firing. Officers later recovered seven shell casings, and police say they arrived within about a minute of the 911 call. Because an officer with the Department of Public Safety was involved, the Salt Lake City Police Department is leading the investigation.
Charges and alleged road rage enhancement
The suspect, identified in court papers as Tyler Traveon Mhaka, 23, faces an attempted murder count tied to the liquor-store shooting, along with multiple counts related to allegedly firing a gun in what prosecutors describe as a road-rage incident, according to Deseret News. Deseret reports that Mhaka is charged with three counts of shooting a gun, causing serious bodily injury, plus additional counts for discharging a firearm. Prosecutors have also asked the court to hold him without the possibility of bail, the outlet notes. The state liquor store stayed closed for cleanup and repairs following the shooting.
Investigators point to alleged gang ties
Charging documents cited by KSL say detectives have identified Mhaka as a “documented Taliban gang member.” The affidavit also notes he had recently returned from Dubai and has family ties in the Middle East. Those details are described in the filings as investigative findings offered in support of the charges.
Officer intervention at the scene
An off-duty Utah Highway Patrol trooper who happened to be inside the liquor store drew his weapon and returned fire, hitting the suspect and stopping the attack, FOX13 reports. Both the victim and Mhaka were taken to local hospitals in stable condition, while the trooper escaped injury. Officers secured the area, collected multiple shell casings and other evidence, and kept the store closed while they worked the scene.
What the law says
Under Utah law, attempted murder is classified as a first-degree felony. State statute treats conduct that would constitute murder, if completed, as a first-degree offense, and outlines potential defenses and sentencing factors. The full text of the statute and penalty structure is available in Utah Code 76-5-203…