David Alvarez

A simple act of kindness on a summer evening in Salt Lake City, Utah, ended in a burst of gunfire that stole the life of David Alvarez. On July 23, 1996, Alvarez was driving with two women and a 2-year-old boy. When the young child needed to use the bathroom, Alvarez pulled the car over and walked with him to a tree at 910 W. 100 South. It was a small, considerate gesture, the kind that happens every day. But this moment was shattered by sudden, inexplicable violence.

As Alvarez and the little boy stood by the tree, a vehicle, described as a Bronco, abruptly pulled up. Assailants armed with handguns jumped out and opened fire. The volley of bullets was directed at Alvarez, who was struck multiple times in his chest and leg. He collapsed to the ground as the shooters fled the scene. Miraculously, amidst the chaos and violence, the 2-year-old child at his side was completely unharmed. The two women who were with them in the car also escaped physical injury, but were left as witnesses to a brutal and fatal ambush.

The investigation into the homicide began immediately, handled by the Salt Lake City Police Department. The motive for the targeted attack was not clear, but the aftermath brought a chilling development. The day after the shooting, Alvarez's roommate received a threatening phone call. The caller, who identified himself only by the nickname "Pelon," warned the roommate that the same thing would happen to him as happened to Alvarez unless he provided certain unspecified information. This threat suggested the killing was not random and that the perpetrators were trying to intimidate anyone connected to the victim.

Based on witness testimony, including from someone personally acquainted with the suspect, investigators were able to piece together a partial picture of the person responsible. Less than a month after the murder, in August 1996, prosecutors took the step of filing a John Doe arrest warrant in 3rd District Court for the man known as "Pelon." He was charged with criminal homicide, a first-degree felony, with additional penalties sought for using a firearm during the commission of the crime. Despite this legal action and the issuance of a warrant, the suspect's true identity and whereabouts remained unknown.

For decades, the case has remained open but unsolved, a cold case in the files of the Salt Lake City Police Department. The identity of "Pelon" has never been confirmed, and he has never been apprehended to face the murder charge. The second gunman also remains a mystery. The reasons behind the violent ambush on a city street have never been brought to light, leaving a void of unanswered questions for Alvarez's loved ones and the community.

Years have passed, but the search for justice continues. Investigators believe that someone holds the key to unlocking this case—the true name of "Pelon," the identity of his accomplice, and the reason David Alvarez was targeted that night. The case remains an open investigation, and authorities hope that with the passage of time, someone with information will finally come forward. The Salt Lake City Police Department continues to seek any tips that could lead to an arrest and bring closure to a case that has remained cold for nearly three decades.