Utah Man Convicted for Drive-By Shooting Death of William Ryan

Accident – Death – Obituary News : SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In a significant development, a Utah man has been found guilty on Thursday for his involvement in a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a teenager in 2017. Javier Saldana-Ibarra, a 24-year-old resident of Wood Cross, has been convicted of first-degree murder in the tragic killing of 17-year-old William Ryan, according to the Salt Lake County Attorney’s office.

The conviction also includes one count of second-degree felony discharge of a firearm with injury and two counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm. Prosecutors have emphasized that all these charges are gang-related, shedding light on the underlying issues of violence in the community.

Expressing their commitment to combating gun violence and protecting the community, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill stated, “Gun violence harms our community, individuals, and families. We will never tolerate gang or gun violence and we will always prosecute it to the fullest extent possible.”

The fatal incident occurred on August 19, 2017, in Magna, as outlined in court documents. William Ryan and two other individuals were standing outside his residence when a white Volkswagen Jetta slowly passed by, and suddenly, gunshots were fired. Tragically, Ryan was struck in the head by a bullet, leading to his untimely death. Another victim sustained a gunshot wound to the foot during the incident.

Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene provided crucial information to the police, revealing that several individuals were in the Jetta at the time of the shooting. Through their testimonies, Javier Saldana-Ibarra was identified as the driver of the vehicle.

As the trial comes to an end, Javier Saldana-Ibarra is now awaiting sentencing, scheduled for February 6. This conviction serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of gang-related violence and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

The community will now be looking to the justice system to ensure that a fair and just sentence is handed down, providing a sense of closure for the victim’s family and reinforcing the message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated. The conviction of Javier Saldana-Ibarra should serve as a deterrent to others involved in gang-related activities, sending a clear signal that the law will be enforced to protect the safety and well-being of the community.

The sentencing hearing scheduled for February 6 will provide an opportunity for the court to consider the gravity of the crime and the impact it has had on the victim’s family and the wider community. It is hoped that the outcome will provide some measure of justice and contribute to the healing process for those affected by this tragic incident..