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SLC Police identify man shot dead in ‘drug deal gone bad’; 4 people facing charges

Posted at 9:48 AM, Aug 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-28 23:16:51-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- One man is dead after a shooting in Salt Lake City Sunday morning, and police have now confirmed the incident was a "drug deal gone bad."

Police initially responded to a car crash at 300 South and 550 West at 7:27 a.m. Witnesses told authorities two vehicles were hitting each other, and eventually one of those cars rolled.

"First I heard some shouting," said one witness who didn't want to be identified. "Then, I heard someone ask 'What's going on?'"

Jesse Rakes mugshotThe witness said he heard two shots, though police would only confirm one shot was fired.

At some point before or after the accident, a man inside one of the vehicles was shot, Lt. Mike Ross with Salt Lake City PD said. That man was later identified as 30-year-old Jesse Ray Rakes.

Rakes was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.

Michael Polk mugshot.Police said Rakes' "two cohorts" were booked for aggravated robbery. Those men are identified as 34-year-old Michael Polk and 35-year-old Matthew Eyre. A mugshot was not available for Eyre Sunday night.

Police stated 25-year-old Daniel Simon is being charged for possession of a firearm by a restricted person for now, and homicide charges against the man are being screened.

Daniel Simon mugshotNatanni Xoumphonphackdy, 25, will be booked into jail for obstruction.

"I saw a white car come down this way with someone hanging out the window holding a gun," the witness said.

Police believe the driver of the white car could be the one responsible for the crash and the shooting.

Natanni mugshotOther witnesses in front of Rio Grande Station report seeing the passenger of the white car, a female of an unknown age, jumping out about a block away from the scene.

“The girl who had the gun, came right up here and pointed it at my buddy’s face,” said Tracy Jordan, who sleeps on the street about a block away.

"She's a tiny little thing, but she can be very mean," he added.

Jordan said the woman was well-known in the area and wonders if she may also have played a role.