PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

January 7, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Provides Update on Homicide Investigation

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is providing our community an update on an ongoing homicide investigation.

Recently, members of the Southern District of Texas U.S. Marshals Service, acting on information provided by SLCPD, located and safely arrested 22-year-old Lashawn Denise Bagley in the Houston area. The arrest is pursuant to an arrest warrant charging Bagley with one count of Domestic-Violence Murder and nine-counts of Felony Discharge of a Firearm.

This investigation started on September 12, 2022 when officers with the Salt Lake City Police responded to a shooting near 900 South and 200 West. Officers arrived and found 27-year-old Demetrius Allen with a gunshot wound.

Gold Cross and Salt Lake City Fire personnel took Allen to the hospital where he later died.

Bagley, who lived at the apartment where the shooting took place, called 9-1-1. While on the phone with Bagley, the 9-1-1 operator heard loud noises and asked about the noises. Bagley, according to court documents, said “I’m shooting” and told the 9-1-1 operator she was out of bullets.

Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Homicide Squad responded and began an investigation.

During that investigation, they learned Allen, a professional bull rider, was staying at Bagley’s apartment and went back to pick up equipment worth approximately $10,000. The two had previously been in an on-again-off-again domestic relationship.

The investigation revealed Bagley shot her handgun multiple times.

Detectives believe Bagley was upset with Allen because of his interest in Bagley’s friend.

In court documents seeking a no-bail hold, SLCPD detectives wrote, “the impulsiveness of the defendant’s actions and her wiliness to fire a handgun at unarmed persons whom she knew and was friends with at the time, demonstrates that she is a danger to the community.”

After being initially arrested, Bagley was released pursuant to the ongoing investigation.

Detectives needed to conduct additional investigative follow-up on the case. During that time, Bagley left Salt Lake City.

SLCPD detectives screened the case with the district attorney’s and successfully obtained a court-authorized arrest warrant.

On January 06, 2023, the Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed Bagley’s arrest after confirming the arrest warrant had been unsealed.

Questions related to the arrest should be directed to the U.S. Marshals Service in Houston. Questions related to the pending prosecution of this case should be directed to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown recognized the work of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s patrol officers, crime lab technicians and the SLCPD Homicide Squad for their dedicated work on this case.

The Salt Lake City Police Department encourage anyone who has experienced Domestic Violence to call us at 801-799-3000 and ask to speak with a Victim Advocate or call their 24-hour hotline directly at 801-580-7969. All services are free, and callers can get information anonymously.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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