Charges Unsealed in West Valley City WinCo Alleged Murder

Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced unsealed charges filed against Mare Biel and Bevan Kuajian for their alleged role in the murder of a 17-year-old juvenile male, N.D., in a West Valley City Winco Parking lot.

On July 13, 2024, Nyang Mony, Harun Wanthi, and N.D. drove in a white Lexus to a popular gas station in West Valley City, where individuals gather on the weekends to race cars. When no one else showed up to race, the three decided to go to downtown Salt Lake City to ride scooters. The three males left the gas station and started driving towards downtown but decided to pull over at the Winco Grocery store near 2500 South 5600 West to try and figure out where they could find some scooters. Video surveillance shows a dark Infiniti followed the white Lexus into the parking lot, pulled up near it, and then someone fired multiple shots at the white Lexus. One of the bullets hit N.D., injuring him; he later died at the hospital.

Investigators determined the defendants were allegedly together in the dark Infiniti at the time of the shooting. Police determined that Kuajian was the alleged driver of the vehicle, and Mr. Biel allegedly fired the gunshots at the white Lexus. Through interviews, detectives discovered that Mr. Kuajian had been friends with Mr. Wanthi but had a falling out over one of Mr. Kuajin’s ex-girlfriends. The two had fought multiple times since they stopped being friends, and Mr. Kuajin told various people he was going to rob Mr. Wanthi.

After the shooting, the defendants fled to Omaha, Nebraska, where they were recently located and arrested.

The defendants have each been charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree felony discharge of a firearm with bodily injury, one count of second-degree felony obstruction of justice, and eight counts of third-degree felony discharge of a firearm.

“Today, we grieve with all of those affected by this tragic gun violence. This fatal shooting had a devastating effect on the Salt Lake County community. Our hearts are with the family and friends of the victim killed in this shooting and with the surviving victims and their loved ones,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “We appreciate the relentless pursuit of the defendant by the West Valley City Police Department. Their work helped to ensure this office could pursue justice for the families of the victims and our community. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

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