Person of interest sought by Salt Lake police in homicide near Smith's Ballpark Featured
Salt Lake City police are asking for the public's help to identify a person of interest in the death of 49-year-old Luis Melendez, who was found dead near Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City. (Photo: SLCPD)
6 September, 2020. Salt Lake City police are asking for the public's help to identify a person of interest in the death of 49-year-old Luis Melendez, whose body was found near Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Aug. 12.
Melendez was discovered near a bicycle in the area of Harrison Ave. and Main Street.
He died from a gunshot wound.
Police believe at least two suspects were involved in the killing because two people were seen on surveillance video from nearby businesses.
SLCPD posted pictures on Twitter of the unidentified man on Thursday.
He's seen wearing a hat with white lettering that spells out "Raiders."
Anyone with information about this man's identity is asked to call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000.
An anonymous tip led investigators to 24-year-old Siosiua Tonga Ositamani, after which they compared photos of him to video from local businesses.
He was booked into jail for first-degree murder and is being held without bail, as of Tuesday, Aug. 25.
While being questioned by police, he admitted to shooting Melendez, according to an affidavit.
Ositamani told investigators he and a friend got in an argument with Melendez, and that he fired a gun once at the 49-year-old before leaving the area.
Individuals named in jail documents are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
- KUTV
