Detectives confirmed they are investigating the shooting of Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen—who performed under the name Ouncie Mitchell—as a “domestic violence-related homicide” after his death in the early hours of Monday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The 27-year-old, who was from Fresno, Texas, was rushed to hospital, but medics were unable to save him. His 21-year-old girlfriend, LaShawn Denise Bagley, has been taken into custody.
A Salt Lake City Police Department statement reads: “This investigation started at 12:06 a.m. on Monday… [when officers] received information about a man who had been shot at an apartment complex near 900 South 200 West. Responding officers found the victim, later identified as Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, outside of an apartment with at least one gunshot wound. Officers immediately provided emergency medical care. Gold Cross transported Allen to a local hospital where he died.
“Officers saw multiple bullet holes coming from an apartment. After developing a plan, officers safely took the suspect, 21-year-old LaShawn Denise Bagley, into custody.”
The statement also went into detail about the events they say had unfolded earlier in the evening before the alleged attack.
“Through the investigation, officers determined Allen and Bagley knew each other and had been in a relationship,” police said. “Detectives believe Allen came to Salt Lake City to attend the Utah State Fair and arranged to stay with Bagley. After attending the fair, Allen and Bagley went to a downtown bar where they got into an argument. Allen went to Bagley’s apartment to get his property when shots were fired.”
Sean Gleason, commissioner of Professional Bull Riders (PBR), told the Associated Press that Allen is the same man who goes by the name Ouncie Mitchell. He paid an emotional tribute to him, saying: “Ouncie got his name because he was born small. He grew up to compete with a huge heart.”
He also posted a statement on Twitter, writing: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Demetrius Allen, who fans knew as Ouncie Mitchell. Ouncie was a talented cowboy and a familiar face on the Velocity Tour. The PBR extends our heartfelt condolences to Ouncie’s cousin Ezekiel Mitchell and the entire family.”
One sad fan replied: “Rest easy cowboy I hope you enjoy the view from up there continued prayers for you and your family and anyone who loved you.”
In June 2021, PBR posted rodeo footage on Facebook, with the caption: “Ouncie Mitchell stole the show when he completed a rank 8-second ride to win the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo!” He was #157 in the world ranking this year, according to the PBR website.
Detectives with Salt Lake City’s Homicide Squad are leading the investigation and have booked Bagley into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of murder and felony discharge of a firearm.
Newsweek has reached out to Salt Lake City police for further information about the case.
