A man has been convicted in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at a wedding in Midvale, Utah. According to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Guillermo William Herrera, 23, and two others associated with the Dogtown gang arrived uninvited at the event in November 2021.
Prosecutors stated that when friends and family of the couple asked the group to leave, Herrera waited outside while his companions exited, shouting their gang name and arguing with guests. During the confrontation, Herrera drew a gun. The son of the newly married couple, Oscar Avila Jr., attempted to intervene but was pistol-whipped and then shot in the chest by Herrera. Avila died from his injuries.
“Weddings are meant to be a time of celebration for all those in attendance, and instead the defendant decided to turn this one into a tragedy. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Avila and hope that this conviction helps them start to heal from the devastation of his death,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement.
Herrera was found guilty on August 22 of murder, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, obstructing justice, and aggravated assault. His sentencing is scheduled for October.
Midvale is located approximately ten miles south of Salt Lake City.