The man suspected to be responsible for the last month’s deadly shooting of Aaron Lowe, a University of Utah football player, was charged Wednesday. Records reveal that the shooting sprung from an argument.
According to a report by Salt Lake Tribune, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office charged 22-year-old Mawut Buk with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and obstruction of justice, court records reveal.
Lowe’s Fatal Shooting
The 21-year-old football player, who hailed from Mesquite, Texas, was killed on Sept. 26 at a house party in Sugar House after uninvited guests, including Buk, were asked to leave, a probable cause document filed in the case states.
In a contact report found by the Salt Lake Tribune, throughout the night of the party, there were “several fights” that prompted the host to kick people out of the party.
If convicted, aggravated murder charges in Utah can carry the death penalty. Reports said that prosecutors will make that decision after the case’s preliminary hearing.
Cause Of the Fatal Shooting, According To Witnesses
Charging documents revealed that witnesses told investigators that Lowe, Buk, and other partygoers got into an argument just in front of Lowe’s car before the shooting began.
Buk, in an initial interview during his arrest on Oct. 3, told investigators he was not at the party.
Fuamoli Pomale, 20, who was also shot multiple times and remains in critical condition as of Oct. 3, revealed what happened before the shooting, police said.
Pomale, according to a district attorney’s office spokesman, is alive but is unable to speak due to her injuries after being shot in the chest and neck that damaged her spinal cord and some soft tissues.
Records said that she either typed her answers to the questions asked by investigators or answered non-verbally with gestures. She told investigators that the argument begun after Lowe tried moving his car when four men would not move out of the way.
Another witness revealed to police that they saw Buk take a gun from another man who was also at the party. Buk eventually walked out of the garage, holding the gun, and the shooting began, the witness said.
According to charging documents, a witness was able to take a video of the shooting. It shows a man crossing the street and lifting his hand to his middle. The man looked like he was holding a “dark object.” In the video, as he walks out of the frame, two gunshots are heard.
Just minutes later, the video shows the man standing on a park strip just in front of Lowe and Pomale who were on the ground.
Pomale told investigators that the shooter came back to finish them both off.
The person who was able to take a video recording of the incident ran away but the video was able to capture sounds of at least five gunshots going off, according to documents. Investigators were not able to retrieve the gun used.
Shooting Happened Hours After Utah Football Team Homecoming Win
The fatal shooting transpired hours after the Utah Football Team’s Homecoming win against Washington State.
Lowe, a Utes cornerback played on the Sept. 25 game and wore a No. 22 jersey as a tribute to Ty Jordan, a former teammate and friend of Lowe who died in September from what appeared to be an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Buk is currently in Salt Lake County jail, held without bail. A court hearing for the case is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
District Attorney’s office spokesman did not mention if there are other people being investigated regarding the shooting.
Buk’s Criminal History
At the time of the Sept. 26 shooting, Buk was on probation for two robberies that he committed in 2019, just two of the series of crimes he had been charged with over the past years, court records reveal.
