Homicide suspect on the run after shooting driver on I-84 west of Tremonton

Jonathan Llana, the suspected shooter who killed the driver of a Range Rover west of Tremonton, Wednesday night, May 22, 2019. Llana is described as being 5'10", 150 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes (Courtesy: Idaho State Police).

BRIGHAM CITY — Troopers are investigating a homicide that occurred Wednesday night west of Tremonton. The shooting was reported just after 8 p.m. near Rattlesnake Pass along Interstate 84.

Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Lee Perry said the shooter is believed to be 45-year-old Jonathan Llana. He is described as being 5’10”, 150 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

Suspect vehicle in canal, east of Burley, Idaho. Police report the suspect driver, Jonathan Llana, fled on foot. Wednesday night, May 22, 2019. Llana is described as being 5’10”, 150 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes (Courtesy: Idaho State Police).

Box Elder Dispatch operators received a 911 call from a passenger in a Range Rover who reported the driver had been shot while traveling westbound on I-84, near mile post 21. The passenger described the suspect vehicle as a silver Volkswagen Jetta with out-of-state plates.

Troopers and Box Elder County deputies were dispatched to investigate the shooting and look for the suspect vehicle. An “Attempt to Locate” broadcast was also put out for Idaho and Nevada law enforcement agencies.

Paramedics were sent to the scene to treat the two victims. A passing EMT stopped and was able to determine that the driver of the Range Rover was deceased. He was later identified as 50-year-old Salt Lake City man, Dennis Gwyther. The passenger also had non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Bear River Valley Hospital.

Perry said as troopers and deputies started investigating the shooting, Idaho State Police (ISP) attempted to stop a silver Jetta that fit the suspect’s description. The vehicle fled from police and eventually crashed in a canal in Cassia County, near the vicinity of Raft River / Yale Road intersection with I-86.

ISP officers said Llana then fled on foot. They are warning residents of Cassia County that Llana is believed armed and dangerous. A helicopter was called in to assist their search outside of Burley.


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