Young man shot in St. George, suspect arrested for manslaughter

SALT LAKE CITY — A man was arrested Friday night in St. George on manslaughter charges after allegedly firing a shot that killed a young man.

According to the probable cause statement, officers received a call late Friday night that a young man had been shot.

When medical professionals arrived on the scene, they attempted life-saving care. However, the victim, only identified as JQ, died from his injuries at the scene.

The suspect in the young man’s death, Malachi Robles-Romo, was taken into custody at the scene. According to the St. George Police Department, Robles-Romo allegedly admitted to discharging the firearm that struck the victim.

The probable cause statement said Robles-Romo was “familiar with the gun” and knew that the trigger of the weapon needed to be “pulled” or depressed in order to remove the slide and magazine.

The statement alleges Robles-Romo was removing the loaded magazine from the gun, pulling the trigger in the process when the gun fired a single round, resulting in the victim’s death. Robles-Romo also allegedly said he believed the gun was stolen but did not say where he got it or whom he purchased it from.

After police obtained a search warrant, officers in the Investigations Division of the St. George Police Department allegedly located the firearm, along with other items of evidence.

The probable cause statement reported that Robles-Romo was charged with manslaughter, felony discharge of a firearm resulting in significant injury, Category II restricted person (having a firearm and controlled substances together), possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

Robles-Romo had previously been charged with possession of a controlled substance and purchase of possession of tobacco by a minor in April of this year.

---

Read more: Woman lost consciousness after being hit by vehicle in St. George