18-year-old could face death

An 18-year-old man with a violent criminal history, described by police as being "totally out of control," was charged in connection with one Salt Lake County slaying Friday, had charges screened on a second killing and was being investigated by several agencies for other incidents, including additional drive-by shootings.

Once the additional charges are filed, police say, Samuel Paul Krokaugger could face a capital homicide charge and become Utah's youngest death row inmate, if convicted.

"He is dangerous," said South Salt Lake Police Capt. Tracy Tingey.

Police believe that since June 24, Krokaugger has been involved in at least two homicides and one additional drive-by shooting in which the victim survived. He was charged in 3rd District Court Friday.

On June 24, Krokaugger was driving on I-15 near 2100 South when he noticed a vehicle that he had had a "previous problem with," according to court documents.

"He handed a firearm to the rear passenger, Mohamed Daffalla Kobar, and told him to get the car," court documents stated.

Luis A. Trujillo, 17, was shot and killed around 2 a.m. on that date.

Kobar was also charged Friday with criminal homicide in Trujillo's death. Both he and Krokaugger also face charges of

obstructing justice, a second-degree felony, and three counts of discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, a third-degree felony.

Krokaugger faces an additional second-degree felony charge of purchase, transfer, possession or use of a firearm by a restricted person.

Five days after Trujillo was killed, Krokaugger was driving a vehicle that pulled up beside another car stopped at a light near 800 South and 900 West and asked for another man by name, according to court documents. After learning the man was the driver of the other car, Krokaugger asked if the man remembered him. He then fired two rounds, hitting the victim once in the hip. That man survived his injuries.

Krokaugger was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court in connection with that shooting.

On that same day, 20-year-old Aaron Wheelwright was shot in the walkway of the Mountain Shadows apartment complex near 3800 South and 700 West. The shot hit him in the leg, striking a major artery and causing profuse bleeding. A female friend drove Wheelwright to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.