X
SALT LAKE CITY

Three people facing charges after deadly Salt Palace shooting

UPDATED: DECEMBER 29, 2022 AT 11:27 AM
BY
News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — Three men face felony charges of murder and aggravated robbery after the shooting death of Deliford Knight at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Deng Mawut Buk, Joshua Goy Riak, and Nogolweit “Nunu” Kug, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were charged in the 3rd District Court on Wednesday in Knight’s murder.

On Sept. 3, Knight, a 41-year-old man from Florida, was at a shoe convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Police said that one of the defendants lost money to Knight in a card game.

Police think that the three suspects followed Knight onto West Temple where an argument ensued. 

The SLCPD believe Kug then pulled out a gun and shot Knight as Riak and Buk watched. The police also believe Kug robbed Knight before he, Riak and Buk left the area.

According to police, Knight and his friends made money off of people by engaging in betting matches during conventions across the country.

Kug was taken into custody several days after the Salt Palace shooting when he turned himself in at the Public Safety Building in downtown Salt Lake City.

Officials arrested Deng Buk, 22, on Saturday night. Officers arrested Joshua Riak after a traffic stop near Modesto Park in Salt Lake City.

Simone Seikaly contributed to this report.

Our previous reporting: