PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

July 4, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Makes Two Arrest, Recovers Multiple Guns Following South Major Street Shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Overnight, after chasing down multiple leads and obtaining court-authorized search warrants, detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department safely arrested two people in connection to the shooting that occurred on Sunday July 3, 2022 in the Ballpark neighborhood.

“We now have a much clearer picture of what quickly unfolded early Sunday morning in the Ballpark neighborhood because of the unrelenting work of our patrol officers, detectives and crime lab technicians,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Every person who works for the Salt Lake City Police Department is committed to making our city safer, and I’m proud of their work. Our patrol officers, detectives, records staff, SWAT officers, and crime lab technicians gave up time with their families during this holiday weekend to pursue justice in this case. The Salt Lake City Police Department remains committed to confronting and interrupting the violence that occurs in our community and to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated.”

47-year-old Ryan Lua is charged with aggravated assault and felony discharge of a firearm.

25-year-old Christopher Taliu is charged with aggravated assault and felony discharge of a firearm.

Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department have also located and recovered the white Audi A6 wanted as part of this ongoing investigation.

This investigation started at 5:28 a.m. on Sunday July 3, 2022 when SLC911 received multiple 9-1-1 calls about a shooting near 1489 South Major Street.

When officers responded, they located a 20-year-old man hiding behind a car with a gunshot wound. Officers performed immediate life-saving efforts.

As of July 4, 2022, the man is no longer in the hospital. The Salt Lake City Police Department has no additional information to release about the victim.

During the investigation, SLCPD detectives learned the victim was shot near a music venue where there was a large party occurring. Based on the preliminary investigation, both Lua and Taliu were working as bouncers for the music venue. Surveillance video shows a fight taking place at the entrance of the music venue involving the victim and another person associated with the music venue.

Video shows both Lua and Taliu shooting multiple rounds in the direction of the victim and his car, which had people inside.

Further, Taliu is accused of charging the victim’s car and continuing to shoot multiple rounds at close range at the people inside.

The victim is seen on video shooting back toward Lua and others.

After the shooting both Lua and Taliu are seen on video getting into separate vehicles and leaving the area.

As part of this investigation, with the assistance of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s SWAT Team, detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in West Jordan. During the search, detectives located multiple firearms and ammunition.

No additional information can be released at this time.

SLCPD detectives continue to conduct investigative follow-up on this case. Anyone with information, should call 801-799-3000 and reference case number 22-124993.

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