This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Prosecutors have charged two suspected gang members with murder for allegedly shooting two men from a rival gang last month in Salt Lake City.
Antonio Andino, 34, and Timothy James Ford, 26, both face first-degree felony murder charges for their alleged roles in the Oct. 13 shooting that killed Christian Arenas. Andino faces eight additional felonies related to guns, theft and obstruction of justice. Ford faces six gun-related felonies.
The shooting happened at 405 N. Pamela Way, police said, when Ford and Andino pulled up next to a car with three men inside. According to court documents, Ford — the passenger in his vehicle — asked the three men, "Do you bang?"
Hector Sanchez, a passenger in the other car, replied "Yeah homie, we bang," the documents say. Ford then immediately pulled out a handgun and started firing at the three men.
Bullets hit Arenas, 19, and Sanchez in the face, police say. When officers arrived, Arenas was slumped over unconscious. Sanchez was semiconscious and holding a towel to his face. The third man, Jorge Martinez, was in the back seat and avoided the bullets. He later told the story to police, the documents state. Arenas died Oct. 23, police say. Sanchez survived.
Investigators believe Andino and Ford belong to the Norteños gang, while Arenas and Sanchez had affiliations with the rival Sureños gang. Police captured Andino after a high-speed chase in a stolen car Nov. 15, while Ford was picked up after the shooting for a parole violation.
Police pieced the case together after recovering a stolen Subaru Forester that Andino reportedly used the night of the shooting. Officers found the car Oct. 16 and returned it to its owner, who found two .380 FC shell casings inside.
Prosecutors filed charges Friday against Andino and Ford. A search of court records shows that both men have a robust criminal history. Andino's first appearance in court is scheduled for Wednesday. Court records did not show any scheduled hearings for Ford.