Man charged with murder in chaotic confrontation at Salt Lake bar

Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man was charged Thursday with murder in a shooting that started with an attempted robbery inside a bar.

Kasim Mumin Sheikh-Mumin, 41, is charged in 3rd District Court with murder and five counts of discharging a firearm causing serious injury, all first-degree felonies; and possession of a gun by a restricted person, a second-degree felony.

On Dec. 22, three people — Salesi Tvivailala Katoa, 37, of Salt Lake City, George Wolfgramm, 29, and Vilaketi Bloomfield, 24 — entered the Kings Lounge, 25 Kensington Ave., after it was closed, according to charging documents. Sheikh-Mumin was already inside with two other people. He was previously acquainted with Katoa, police say.

The trio asked to see Sheikh-Mumin and another woman's watches. After handing them the watches, Bloomfield held the woman and another man at knifepoint while Wolfgramm “was fighting and repeatedly punching” Sheikh-Mumin in the head, the charges state.

That’s when another man with Sheikh-Mumin pulled out a gun and shot Wolfgramm in the arm, according to the charges. He then fired another round as Wolfgramm, Bloomfield and Katoa ran out the door.

The woman ran after the trio because they still had her watch. Moments later, she reentered the bar after being shot in the arm, the charges state. The other man put his gun down to attend to the woman. That’s when Sheikh-Mumin allegedly picked up the gun and walked outside.

Eight to nine shots were heard, and Sheikh-Mumin walked back in the bar shortly after stating, “I think I killed him,” according to the charging documents.

Katoa was found deceased in the driver's seat of a car parked outside the business. Nine shell casings were found by police near the car and Katoa was shot seven times, the charges state.

Responding officers also followed a blood trail that led them to Wolfgramm, according to the charges.

At the time of his arrest, police said “detectives have reason to believe that (Sheikh-Mumin) was no longer in grave danger” at the time he allegedly shot Katoa, who was trying to get away.

Due to prior convictions, Sheikh-Mumin was prohibited from possessing a gun.

In 2012, Sheikh-Mumin pleaded guilty to attempted possession or use of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, court records show. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to unlawful acquisition or possession of a transfer card.

In 2019, Sheikh-Mumin was charged with exploiting prostitution, possession or use of a controlled substance, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bloomfield has also been charged several times in 2020, including on Thursday when he was charged in 3rd District Court for an incident on Dec. 10 with theft by receiving stolen property, failing to stop for police, drug possession and interfering with an arresting officer.

Wolfgramm was charged with theft by receiving stolen property in November and had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the shooting for failing to shot up to court, according to court records.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3aWYRW1