Police say the shot was fired inside a home near 1100 South on Friday night; the victim’s name and age have not been released.
ST. GEORGE, UT— A boy was shot and killed Friday night inside a St. George apartment, and a 19-year-old friend was taken into custody after telling first responders he fired the round, according to arrest documents and police statements.
Authorities say the investigation began around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, when officers and medics were dispatched to the 500 East–1100 South area on a report of a gunshot inside a residence. The juvenile male was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified the 19-year-old as Malachi Robles, who they say acknowledged firing the handgun. Detectives executed a search warrant and collected a firearm and other evidence. The case is in its early stages, but officers said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the neighborhood and emphasized the shooting occurred among acquaintances inside the home.
According to a booking affidavit, Robles told investigators he obtained the handgun earlier and believed it was stolen. He said he was removing a loaded magazine when he “pulled the trigger in the process,” and a single round struck the victim. Two other juveniles who were inside the apartment ran from the scene with the gun and hid it nearby, the affidavit states. Police later recovered the weapon and additional items after serving a warrant at the residence. “He was able to give descriptions and details of the firearm,” the affidavit says, adding that Robles demonstrated familiarity with disassembling that type of pistol. Medics arrived first and began aid; the boy was declared dead before officers finished clearing the residence, police said.
Investigators placed the initial call at about 7:30 p.m., with dispatch logs noting a gunshot report near the 500 East block of 1100 South. Some records list the address as 449 E. 1100 South. Officers said they found a juvenile male with a single gunshot wound and pronounced him dead after life-saving measures failed. The St. George Police Department said the victim’s identity will be released by the medical examiner after family notifications. Arrest papers say Robles called dispatch to report someone had been shot and then told arriving medics that he had shot his “friend.” Police say evidence collected at the home included a THC vape; arrest documents note Robles admitted vaping earlier that evening.
The affidavit describes the firearm as a Glock-style handgun and says Robles acknowledged he knew the trigger must be pressed to remove the slide on that model. Detectives also wrote that others present said the gun had been stolen and that they believed other firearms at the residence might also be stolen. Officers recovered the handgun after tracking where the two juveniles reportedly hid it outside. Beyond the basic caliber and operating style, police did not immediately release serial-number details, how long the gun had been at the apartment, or the person who originally brought it. The department said those facts remain under review as detectives process digital evidence and interview witnesses.
Police arrested Robles late Friday and booked him into the Washington County jail. Arrest records list suspicion of manslaughter and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, along with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and possession of a controlled substance. A judge ordered him held without bail at Purgatory Correctional Facility, according to arrest documents. Formal charging decisions will be handled by county prosecutors after case screening. Investigators say they are also assessing whether additional evidence could support theft-related counts tied to the firearm’s origin and whether the two juveniles who removed the gun could face charges.
Neighbors in the area described hearing sirens and seeing officers converge on the apartment complex as night fell. Yellow tape closed off a stairwell while detectives photographed a downstairs landing and collected items in paper bags. “It was quiet and then there were lights everywhere,” said a resident who asked not to be named because children were nearby. Police did not release ages for the two other juveniles who fled but said both were located and interviewed. The department said victim advocates were assigned to assist the boy’s family and witnesses at the scene and through the weekend.
As of Saturday afternoon, police said the victim’s name and exact age had not been made public, pending notification and medical examiner findings. Detectives plan to submit their reports to prosecutors early this week, with an initial court appearance for Robles expected after charges are reviewed. The St. George Police Department said it will release an updated summary when the medical examiner issues preliminary findings and when next-of-kin notifications are complete.
Author note: Last updated December 7, 2025.