In the early evening of February 1, 2023, a violent encounter in Salt Lake City, Utah, claimed the life of 35-year-old Guthrie Serawop, a White male. The fatal shooting occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. at an apartment complex located at 1665 S. Riverside Drive. When Salt Lake City police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Serawop in a doorway, with bystanders attempting to apply pressure to gunshot wounds on his abdomen and leg.
He was quickly transported to a local hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries at 7:15 p.m. that same evening.
The investigation into Serawop's death swiftly led to two suspects, brothers Oliver Spencer Avila, then 23, and Julio Steven Cardona, then 30. A witness at the scene knew the men by their nicknames, "Looney" and "Chino," which authorities were able to connect to Avila and Cardona, respectively. Surveillance footage from inside the apartment proved to be a critical piece of evidence, reportedly showing Cardona handing a gun to Avila. The video then captured Serawop and Avila moving outside into the driveway. Their conversation escalated into a physical altercation involving shoving and punching. It was at this point that Avila allegedly pulled out the gun and fired multiple shots at Serawop. According to charging documents, Cardona later told investigators that on the day of the shooting, Avila had asked for the gun back, stating that people were looking for him. Cardona said that Serawop then entered the apartment "aggressively" and "looking for trouble" before the confrontation moved outside.
Following the shooting, Avila and Cardona fled the scene. However, with assistance from the Salt Lake City Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and SWAT Team, both men were arrested. Avila was charged with murder and obstruction of justice, while Cardona faced a charge of purchasing, transferring, possession or use of a firearm by a restricted person. An autopsy later determined that while Serawop had been shot twice in the leg, the fatal wound was to his abdomen. The bullet injured his small intestine and iliac vein, causing significant internal bleeding. The manner of his death was ruled a homicide.
In February 2025, Oliver Spencer Avila was sentenced for his role in Guthrie Serawop's death. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter, determining that while he had killed Serawop, he reasonably believed he was acting in self-defense, even though legally he was not. Avila received a sentence of five years to life in prison for felony discharge of a firearm, along with concurrent sentences for manslaughter, obstructing justice, and other firearm-related charges. At the sentencing, Serawop's older sister remembered him as a devoted father, uncle, and friend, stating that his death had left a permanent void in their family. Guthrie Serawop was described in his obituary as a fun-loving man with a kind heart who loved his sons and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
