Do you know who killed Aranda Fernando in 2017? In the quiet neighborhood of West Valley City, Utah, a sense of normalcy was shattered on the evening of May 30, 2017. A 16-year-old Hispanic male named Aranda Fernando was walking near his home on Thayn Drive when his life was cut short in a sudden act of violence. Around 9:30 p.m., a light-colored SUV approached him, and several young males exited the vehicle, initiating an assault on the teenager.
The altercation escalated tragically when at least one of the individuals produced a handgun and shot Fernando multiple times. The suspects then quickly got back into their vehicle and fled the scene, leaving Fernando lying in the street. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting left a community in shock and a family devastated. The West Valley City Police Department promptly launched a homicide investigation, piecing together the events of that fatal night. Neighbors reported hearing an argument and seeing a group of people fighting before the sound of gunshots pierced the air. Investigators determined that the attack appeared to be an ambush, though a clear motive was not immediately established. The suspects were described as three to four individuals who fled eastbound in a mid-2000s white or light-colored SUV, possibly a Ford Escape.
In the years following the tragic event, the case of Aranda Fernando's death has remained unsolved, a painful open wound for his loved ones and the community. Despite the tireless work of investigators, the individuals responsible for his murder have not been brought to justice. In an effort to generate new leads, the West Valley City Police Department announced a $5,000 reward for information that would lead to charges being filed in the case. Authorities have expressed that they are close to solving the homicide but require assistance from the public. They have specifically sought help in identifying two individuals, believed to be brothers, known only by their street names, who may have firsthand knowledge of the incident. The case remains an active and open investigation, with police urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and help bring closure to Fernando's family.
