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A man accused of fatally shooting two Midvale teens — a girl and her brother — during an apparent argument over money owed for a T-shirt, has been charged with murder.
Mario Cervantes-Angel, 28, a Mexican national, was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree felony aggravated murder for the July 6 slaying of 15-year-old Abril Izazaga and her brother, 16-year-old Jose Izazaga.
The charges carry the potential for the death penalty.
Cervantes-Angel also is charged with second-degree felony obstructing justice for threatening to kill others who reported the shootings; and second-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, for being in the United States illegally.
Cervantes-Angel is being held without bail at the Salt Lake County Jail. Prosecutors have asked a judge to set bail at $2 million, cash-only.
According to charging documents, Cervantes-Angel arrived at Mill Creek II complex, 759 W. Center St. (7720 South) at about 10:45 p.m. on July 6 with a man and two women and the four confronted the Izazaga siblings and a 15-year-old boy.
The four males engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with one another, while the three females engaged in a verbal and physical altercation, charges state.
The dispute "apparently involved a T-shirt, or shirt, money owed, or missing property," Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell has said.
Cervantes-Angel then assaulted Abril Izazaga, pulling her hair and slamming her against a brick wall, charges state.
When Jose Izazaga pulled a knife and attempted to defend his sister, Cervantes-Angel pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot the two siblings multiple times, charges state.
"Witnesses stated that Abril was hugging Jose as they were shot," charges state.
After the brother and sister fell to the ground, Cervantes-Angel walked over to them and attempted to fire the gun several more times.
"Witnesses observed Cervantes-Angel place the gun directly against Jose Izazaga's head while Jose was on the ground and pull the trigger, but the gun was jammed and did not fire," charges state.
Abril Izazaga died at the scene; her brother was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead a short time later.
As Cervantes-Angel and the three people who came with him left the scene, Cervantes-Angel told them "that if any of them said anything, they would be next," charges state.
Cervantes-Angel, who was dropped off at the side of the road, was later found by police at his cousin's home and arrested. Investigators have been unable to locate the gun, charges state.