Days before a deadly shooting at her house, the on-and-off girlfriend who is accused of killing her professional bull rider boyfriend was seen on her Facebook page talking about how she was “trying not to come apart.”
After the two visited the Utah State Fair on Monday, LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21, reportedly shot and killed Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, also known as “Ouncie Mitchell,” according to authorities.
Allen was discovered outside Bagley’s apartment with “at least one gunshot wound.”
Bagley is accused with first-degree murder as well as third-degree criminal firearm discharge.
Bagley’s unstable mental condition was evident in the days before the shooting.
“I honestly miss you more than life itself.” In a Facebook post directed to a different family member, Bagley had written, “I miss you. Come speak to me again plz.
Allen is survived by Nyteshea Haywood, the mother of the four-year-old girl he had with a former relationship.
Allen had made travel arrangements to stay with Bagley, with whom Salt Lake City Police said Allen had an “on-and-off connection,” while in Salt Lake City for a rodeo competition at the Utah State Fair. Allen had flown from Houston to Salt Lake City for the event.
Since Allen presently lists Houston as his home and Bagley formerly resided close in the neighbourhood of Pearland, it is presumed that they originally met there.
Together, they had gone to the fair and departed to go to a bar. After some disagreement, Allen reportedly indicated he wanted to go back to Bagley’s place to pack his belongings, according to the police.
Police saw gunshot holes coming from a neighbouring apartment belonging to Bagley when they arrived at the scene in the apartment complex’s parking area.
According to court filings, blood evidence found outside the apartment suggested Allen had not been there when he was shot.
The unit had “no sign of any forced entry or attempted forceful entry,” the Salt Lake City Police said.
According to Professional Bull Riders commissioner Sean Gleason, Allen received the moniker “Ouncie” because he was “born short.” “He grew up with a tremendous heart for competition.”
It was difficult, according to mother Nyteshea Haywood (pictured), to explain Allen’s passing to their daughter. She loved her father. She was always in love with him.
Allen had not tried to break into Bagley’s flat, according to a witness.
According to a FOX 13 investigation, Bagley fired several shots through the glass door of the apartment, hitting Allen once in the torso.
Allen received immediate medical attention before being taken to a nearby hospital, where he subsequently passed away.
In terms of bull riding, Allen was rated 23rd in the world by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
The CEO and commissioner of the Professional Bull Riders, Sean Gleason, tweeted his sympathies to Mitchell’s family.
Demetrius Allen, better known to fans as Ouncie Mitchell, passed away, and we are stunned and devastated by this news,’ Gleason added. “Ouncie” was a skilled cowboy and well-known figure on the Velocity Tour.
The PBR offers Ezekiel Mitchell, Ouncie’s cousin, and the rest of the family their sincere sympathies.
Mitchell said, “I don’t comprehend, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to understand.” “Why would you take away the life of the person who would give the clothes from his back to anyone?”
From this point on, he will be there in the back of my mind whenever I place my hand on a bull rope. He was a one-of-a-kind individual, a one-of-a-kind family member, friend, and above all, a brother.
She adored her father, according to Haywood. She was completely in love with him. Every time, the refrain was, “My dad did that, my dad did that, and my dad went me fishing.”
She adores her dad, so having to tell her the news was quite upsetting.
Gleason also gave Allen’s family an explanation of the significance of the name “Ouncie Mitchell.”
According to Gleason, “Ouncie acquired his moniker since he was born little.” He had a big passion for competition as he grew older.
There was “no danger to the public at this time,” according to the police, who described the event as isolated and connected to a personal disagreement between Allen and Bagley.
Bagley is now being jailed without bail at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
The Salt Lake City Police Department’s detectives are carrying out their investigation.
In Fresno, Texas, Allen first began riding bulls when he was 2 years old. He formerly went by the moniker “Ouncie” alongside his father, Demetrius “Teaspoon” Mitchell.
According to PBR, Allen’s father expressed his disapproval of his son being a bull rider and remembers Allen participating in his first “mutton busting” competition.
“Are you insane?” Mitchell recalled addressing Laquita, Allen’s mother. “Are you aware of what you just did?” I don’t want him to ride bulls, therefore you fouled everything up.
At the age of 18, Allen became pro and same year he earned a spot in the PBR World Finals. In 2021, he participated in the Bill Pickett Invitational with his father, a rodeo that has historically featured only black cowboys.
Mitchell said, “It is incredible.” What dad wouldn’t want to spend time with his kid?
Since his mother enrolled him in the mutton busting, he has been exposed to it throughout my career. The child had not even begun to walk the whole distance when he began.
At age 5, Allen rode his first steer, and he attributes learning to ride to his father.
Allen added, “I aim to ride relaxed, cool, and have fun.” “Forget the form and build the horn,” was my father’s catchphrase. “Do whatever I have to do.”