WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — West Valley Police Department said it has arrested a man who is a suspect in the murder of a 21-year-old man earlier this month.
West Valley Police said Esteban Galvez, 18, was taken into custody after a traffic stop near 4100 South Redwood Road on Tuesday, Sept. 26. According to a probable cause statement, he faces a first-degree felony charge of murder, second-degree felony charges of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, and six third-degree felony charges of discharge of a firearm.
Galvez was identified as a person of interest after a fatal shooting on Friday, Sept. 15. Police said the victim, Brian Torres, 21, was shot and killed near the area of 2800 West and 2700 South in West Valley.
Police said they found Torres with “multiple visible” gunshot wounds and surrounded by 13 shell casings. Witnesses had told police at the time Galvez ran across the road and started shooting at Torres until he fell to the ground. Police reported Galvez had also threatened a woman by pointing his gun at her prior to shooting Torres.
According to the probable cause statement, Galvez left the scene at a “high rate of speed” and eluded police capture. Police eventually found Galvez through “investigative measures,” however the gun used in the alleged murder has not been found.
Police say Galvez is an “immense threat” to public safety, having made threats to kill both his ex-girlfriend and her family in the past.
“[Galvez] has shown no remorse and instead told witnesses it felt good to kill [Torres] and that he has more unfinished business to take care of,” the probable cause statement said. “This murder was done with malice and with a cold heart.”
A judge with the Salt Lake City District Court ordered to hold Galvez without bail.