Man convicted of first-degree murder at Midvale wedding

MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) — A 23-year-old man has been found guilty of the 2021 murder of Oscar Avila Jr. at a Midvale wedding, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

A Third District Court jury found Guillermo William Herrera, 23, guilty of first-degree felony murder on Friday, Aug. 22, for the death of Oscar Avila Jr.

On Nov. 6, 2021, Herrera and two others, Daniel Brando Garcia and Troy Latorio Kajiyama — all associates of the Dogtown gang — crashed a wedding celebration in Midvale. Friends and family in attendance confronted Herrera and the two others, asking them to leave.

Herrera reportedly exited the building and was waiting outside as the two others also exited, “shouting their gang name and arguing with partygoers,” a press release from the DA’s Office states. Once outside, one of Herrera’s associates flashed a pistol he had concealed in his waistband.

Herrera also brandished a handgun, and the married couple’s son, Avila Jr., rushed him. Herrera was captured on video pistol-whipping Avila Jr. before Avila Jr. fell to the ground. Herrera then fired a single shot at Avila Jr.’s chest before he and the others fled.

Avila Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the oldest of four siblings and had five children of his own.

Oscar Avila Jr. (Courtesy of family)

“Weddings are meant to be a time of celebration for all those in attendance, and instead the defendant decided to turn this one into a tragedy. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Avila and hope that this conviction helps them start to heal from the devastation of his death. This office will aggressively pursue those that make our community less safe with gun violence,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.

The cases against the co-defendants, Garcia and Kajiyama, are ongoing as they are still making their way through the criminal justice system.

Herrera was also found guilty of second-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, second-degree felony obstructing justice, and third-degree felony aggravated assault. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025.

No further information is available at this time.