In the early morning hours of March 9, 2025, the life of 19-year-old Hugo Lucero Perez, a Hispanic male, was tragically cut short in West Jordan, Utah. A disturbance outside a house party near 7900 South and 6400 West escalated into violence around 3:45 a.m. Responding officers discovered Perez with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but the injury proved fatal, and he succumbed to it shortly after arrival.
The investigation into the shooting painted a grim
picture of the events that transpired. What began as a party ended in a fatal argument. Investigators utilized video surveillance from nearby residences, which captured an individual firing 11 shots at Perez and other witnesses who were standing near a vehicle. The West Jordan Police Department worked diligently, gathering witness statements and analyzing evidence from the scene. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could lead to an arrest.
A break in the case came just days later. On March 13, 2025, police arrested 19-year-old Tayden Bentley Huntsman. Identified as a documented gang member, Huntsman was charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, tampering with a witness, and multiple counts of illegal discharge of a firearm. According to a police affidavit, a witness told detectives that Huntsman had admitted to the shooting, claiming it was related to "gang stuff." During questioning after his arrest, Huntsman himself admitted to being in an altercation with Perez at the party and stated, "I shot him." He also allegedly texted others, instructing them to deny his presence at the party.
The investigation didn't end with Huntsman's arrest. On April 19, 2025, authorities took a second suspect into custody. Vincent Caleb Vasquez, an 18-year-old described by police as a documented gang member and leader, was arrested for obstruction of justice while he was at the courthouse for Huntsman's hearing. Vasquez is accused of trying to help the alleged shooter evade capture. He allegedly admitted to advising Huntsman to dispose of the firearm by throwing it into a river and had attempted to collect money from friends to help Huntsman leave the state. Both Huntsman and Vasquez are being held in custody without bail as the legal process continues.
