In the crisp autumn air of October 22, 2017, the life of 20-year-old Joshua Belen was tragically cut short in Salt Lake City, Utah. A young man who was known for his humor and love for his family, he became a victim of gun violence in what should have been a simple transaction. The events of that day would later unravel a story of a robbery gone horribly wrong, leading to a lengthy investigation and the eventual arrest of three individuals.
The incident unfolded in the parking lot of the
Kearns Recreation Center, a place typically associated with community and leisure. Joshua had arranged to meet with a group of individuals to sell a small quantity of marijuana. Unbeknownst to him, the arranged meeting was a setup for a robbery. When the supposed buyers confronted Joshua, the situation quickly escalated. In a tense moment, Joshua reportedly drew a firearm, prompting one of the assailants, Carson Michael Lee O'Dell, to draw his own weapon and fire a single, fatal shot to Joshua's head.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the suspects fled the scene, leaving a grieving family and a community in shock. For more than two years, the case remained a painful open wound for Joshua's loved ones. However, diligent police work eventually led to a breakthrough. In December 2019, Unified Police announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the homicide.
The first to be taken into custody was 19-year-old Carson Michael Lee O'Dell. Shortly after, two more arrests were made: 19-year-old Anthony Gene Knight and 19-year-old Angel Fernandez. According to police reports, Knight admitted to providing a pistol to one of the individuals who planned to rob Joshua, while Fernandez was present during the fatal confrontation. The investigation revealed that the group had planned the robbery, but the situation spiraled out of control when Joshua defended himself, leading to the deadly outcome.
