Man found guilty in killing of 21-year-old at Salt Lake City homeless encampment

A 35-year-old man was convicted Tuesday of aggravated murder and kidnapping after prosecutors say he shot and killed a 21-year-old man in April 2021.

Court documents state that on April 26, 2021, Salt Lake City resident William Henry Clark confronted Ryan Prendergast outside of a tent in a homeless encampment on 900 South and 500 West.

Clark’s ex-girlfriend was living in the tent with Prendergast when Clark approached them, threatening to fire his weapon if the woman did not come out of the tent, the documents state.

When the woman came out, Clark put a gun to her cheek and stated that he “should shoot you right now,” then told her to get in his car. Prendergast exited the tent when the woman refused, and Clark shot him and left the scene, according to charging documents.

First responders took Prendergast to a local hospital, where he later died.

“Mr. Clark is a violent offender that may now spend the rest of his life in prison,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement. “He can no longer pose a threat to our community.”

Clark was convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping with serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.

He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing hearing, currently slated for May 22, according to the district attorney’s office.