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KEARNS, UT — An 18-year-old man who opened fire during an attempted armed robbery while selling champagne out of the trunk of his car may not face charges, even as questions remain about the legality of his firearm possession.
As reported by KSL, police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred just before 2 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Kearns High School. Tesfaye Mebratu Shabi, 18, and a second male, 17, were taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of murder and aggravated robbery. Another suspect, 18-year-old Brandon Ray Hollins, was arrested Monday on the same charges.
Police say the group had targeted the seller, who had arranged via Instagram to meet at the school to sell bottles of champagne from his Chevy Malibu. When he arrived, a silver four-door vehicle with four individuals pulled up. The seller told investigators he approached his trunk and saw two masked males exit the back seat with firearms.
The seller retrieved his own gun and fired at the would-be robbers, continuing to shoot while fleeing the scene. He later flagged down officers nearby. A total of 26 shell casings were recovered from the area. One of the suspects, identified only as “T.V.” in police documents, was found dead near the Malibu’s driver-side door.
Surveillance footage from the school and information from local gang units helped police identify Hollins as the vehicle’s driver. A search of his home turned up a firearm, ammunition, and a bullet hole in his car’s door. Investigators later determined that Shabi was in the back seat during the attempted robbery and had a .223 caliber firearm.
The 17-year-old who remained in the car reportedly had a broken leg from an unrelated robbery on April 16 and did not participate in the attempted heist. Both Shabi and the other teen were arrested Tuesday at an alternative high school in Salt Lake City. Police say Shabi has been linked to the April 16 incident as well and has allegedly boasted about committing other robberies.
Despite firing the fatal shot, the 18-year-old seller has not been arrested. Detectives say the evidence so far supports a potential self-defense claim, though the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether charges are filed.
While the shooting may be deemed legally justified under Utah’s self-defense laws, the seller could still face legal consequences if it’s determined he was carrying the handgun unlawfully. Utah law allows individuals 18 and older to possess handguns but prohibits carrying them loaded or concealed without a provisional concealed carry permit. Since the seller used the gun during the encounter, it was clearly loaded—raising concerns about whether he violated state carry laws.
This case illustrates the legal complexity that can arise when someone uses potentially unlawful means to defend themselves from a criminal attack. Even if charges for the shooting are not pursued, separate firearm violations may still be considered.
