Cops: Shooting death was result of foiled home invasion robbery

Police say a 23-year-old man was shot and killed earlier this week by a resident of a Taylorsville home during a botched home-invasion robbery, and an alleged accomplice has been arrested.

But detectives on Friday were still trying to locate the house where the episode occurred.

Nicholas T. Monte suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the chest when he and three other men went to a home near 5300 S. 3200 West on Wednesday night "intending to rob a homeowner of money and drugs," said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal on Friday.

One of the surviving men, 22-year-old Geno Alex Gonzales, was later arrested.

"Monte, Gonzales and the other two suspects were armed and forced entry into this unknown home,"Hoyal said. "As they entered the home, someone from inside the home shot Monte. These individuals fled the residence and Monte was transported to Pioneer Valley Hospital."

Monte died at the West Valley City hospital on Thursday.

Acting on information developed by South Salt Lake and UPD investigators, detectives located and questioned Gonzales, who told them about the home invasion and shooting, but gave false information and conflicting statements on other facets of the case.

Gonzales was later booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of first-degree felony aggravated murder based on his alleged involvement in the commission of a felony home invasion robbery during which Monte was mortally wounded.

He also was booked on suspicion of second-degree felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license and an improper traffic lane change.

The case initially had been investigated by South Salt Lake police since the initial crime scene was thought to be in the area of 200 E. 3300 South, within the city's limits. On Thursday, however, it was transferred to UPD as more information about the location developed indicating the shooting had occurred in Taylorsville.

Hoyal said detectives are trying to identify and locate the other two suspects involved in the robbery, as well as the exact address of occurrence and identity of the shooter.

Utah court records show that both Monte and Gonzales have minimal criminal records. Monte pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors since 2008, including criminal mischief, threat of violence and discharging a firearm from a vehicle or highway.

In 2009, Gonzales pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of drug possession and possession of alcohol by a minor.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims