In the early evening of May 30, 2024, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace near the Murray North TRAX Station in Salt Lake City, irrevocably altering the course of several young lives. Abdiaziz Abdirahman, a 21-year-old male, was caught in the volley of bullets at the intersection of Fireclay Avenue and Birkhill Boulevard. Struck multiple times, he was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries, his life cut tragically short.
The incident, which unfolded around 7 p.m.,
was not a random act of violence but rather a targeted, gang-related drive-by shooting. Three other young people were also wounded in the attack. A 14-year-old boy was shot multiple times in the back, leaving him with injuries that doctors feared would result in paralysis. A 16-year-old was shot in the hand, and a fourth individual sustained a minor shrapnel wound. Investigators later confirmed that all the victims were members of the same street gang, which had an ongoing feud with a rival group.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly. Using surveillance footage from nearby security cameras, detectives were able to identify a Chrysler vehicle that passed the victims just as the shooting occurred. The car was seen passing the group of pedestrians, who then dropped to the ground as the shots rang out before the vehicle quickly fled the scene. Eighteen shell casings were recovered by police at the location of the attack.
The trail led police to the owner of the Chrysler, who informed them that a 17-year-old named Raoul Bedoang had been in the car. According to the owner, Bedoang had directed him to find the group of victims, claiming he wanted to play basketball with them. However, upon locating the group, Bedoang rolled down the passenger-side window and opened fire. He then allegedly threatened everyone else in the car, warning them to remain silent.
Raoul Bedoang was arrested and charged as an adult with one count of first-degree felony murder, four counts of first-degree felony discharge of a firearm with serious bodily injury, one count of second-degree felony discharge of a firearm with bodily injury, twelve counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm, and one count of retaliation against a witness. In a subsequent court appearance, Bedoang, who had since turned 18, pleaded guilty to murder and felony discharge of a firearm. As part of a plea deal, 17 other felony charges were dismissed. He now faces a sentence of at least 20 years to life in prison.
