A professional bull rider was shot dead by his on-and-off girlfriend after the pair attended the Utah State Fair on Monday, police said.
Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, also known as “Ouncie Mitchell,” was discovered outside the residence of LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21, with “at least one bullet wound.”
Allen left behind Nyteshea Haywood, his 4-year-old daughter from a prior relationship.
Bagley is accused with first-degree murder as well as third-degree criminal firearm discharge.
Allen had made travel arrangements to stay with Bagley, with whom Salt Lake City Police said Allen had a “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 neighborhood of Pearland, it is presumed that they originally met there.
Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen (pictured), 27, known by his professional name ‘Ouncie Mitchell’ was found dead outside an apartment belonging to an ‘off-and-on’ girlfriend
Allen had traveled to Salt Lake City to participate in a rodeo at the Utah State Fair. He arranged to stay with Bagley, whom he presumably met while living in Houston, while he competed
The pair had attended the fair together and later left for a bar. They then had an argument in which Allen said he wanted to return to Bagley’s apartment to pack his things, police said.
Upon arrival at the scene in the parking lot of the apartment complex, police discovered bullet holes coming from a nearby apartment belonging to Bagley.
Blood evidence was investigated outside of the apartment, indicating Allen had not been inside when he was shot, according to court documents.
Salt Lake City Police added there was ‘no indication of any forced entry or attempted forced entry into the apartment.’
Allen was the 23rd ranked bull-rider in the world according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
The 27-year-old bull-rider is survived by his 4-year-old daughter whom Allen had with Nyteshea Haywood
Explaining Allen’s death to their daughter was difficult, Haywood said. ‘She loved her daddy. She loved him and loved him and loved him’
A witness confirmed that Allen had not attempted to force his way into Bagley’s apartment.
A report by FOX 13 said Bagley fired multiple rounds through the apartment’s glass door, striking Allen once through his torso.
Emergency medical care was provided to Allen before he was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
Allen was ranked 23rd in the world in bull riding with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Sean Gleason, commissioner and CEO of Professional Bull Riders, expressed his condolences to Mitchell’s family on Twitter.
‘We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Demetrius Allen, who fans knew as Ouncie Mitchell,’ Gleason said. ‘Ouncie was a talented cowboy and a familiar face on the Velocity Tour.
‘The PBR extends our heartfelt condolences to Ouncie’s cousin Ezekiel Mitchell and the entire family.’
‘I don’t understand and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to understand,’ Mitchell said. ‘The guy that would give the shirt off his back to anybody, why would you take his life away?
‘Every time I put my hand on a bull rope from now on it’ll be him right there in the back of my mind. He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother.’
Police say Allen and Bagley had attended the Utah State Fair (pictured) before leaving for a bar. They then had an argument before they left for Bagley’s apartment complex
‘She loved her daddy,’ Haywood said. ‘She loved him and loved him and loved him. It was always, ‘My daddy this, my daddy doing this, my daddy took me fishing.’
‘She loves her dad, and so having to break that news to her was a huge distraught.’
In extending his message to Allen’s family, Gleason also explained the meaning behind ‘Ouncie Mitchell.’
‘Ouncie got his name because he was born small,’ Gleason said. ‘He grew up to compete with a huge heart.’
Police said the incident was isolated and was related to a domestic dispute between Allen and Bagley with ‘no threat to the public at this time.’
Bagley is currently being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bond.
Detectives at the Salt Lake City Police Department are continuing to investigate.