FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A woman has been captured and arrested in Fort Bend County for her role in September’s deadly shooting of Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, also known as “Ouncie Mitchell,” in the professional bull riding world.
The 27-year-old, originally from Fresno, Texas, was shot and killed by 22-year-old Lashawn Bagley, on September 12, 2022 during a trip to Utah, according to court records.
Before the shooting, Salt Lake City police said Allen and Bagley went to a downtown bar where they got into an argument over his alleged interest in one of her friends.
According to court documents, Bagley and Allen had previously been in a relationship, but Allen’s family members are adamant that the two were not romantically involved.
“He tried to talk to her in the parking lot and she tried to hit him with her car,” said Allen’s aunt, Kamilah Mitchell.
Authorities said when Allen went to Bagley’s apartment to get his property, shots were fired.
“He was outside asking for his things and she took it upon herself to go and get her gun and cowardly shoot through the door,” Mitchell said.
In a press release, Salt Lake City Police wrote: “After being initially arrested, Bagley was released pursuant to the ongoing investigation. Detectives needed to conduct additional investigative follow-ups on the case. During that time, Bagley left Salt Lake City.”
Shortly after, Bagley was charged with murder and felony discharge of a firearm in Salt Lake City.
Utah authorities issued a fugitive warrant for Bagley and she was arrested on Jan. 3 by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. She will remain in the Fort Bend County Jail until she is extradited to Salt Lake City.
The family says Bagley’s arrest gets them one step closer to justice as they continue to come to terms with life without Allen.
“We are all hurting really, really bad and she doesn’t realize what she took from us. We will never get over this,” said Allen’s grandmother, Mintie Mitchell.
The 27-year-old leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter.
“The rest of her life she’s not going to have her father and he was a hands-on father, he loved her with such a passion. My nephew was very special and he made a name for himself, and his name will forever be in lights. I thank God that he left something behind. He left his mark on this world for his daughter and she will take those memories, but it’s sad that she can only take those memories and not the flesh side of him,” Mitchell said.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said they will honor the bull rider, who would’ve qualified to compete in the 2023 RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series, with a 2023 back number.
“All contestants that compete at RODEOHOUSTON® are given a back number and must wear them while competing. Rodeo personnel and even fans will use those back numbers to identify the individual and track scores or times. Although Mitchell would have qualified at the time of his death, this would have been his RODEOHOUSTON® debut. Additional details, which will be private, will be discussed internally as well as with his family,” said Danielle Grossman, Director of Strategic Communications for HLSR.
Allen’s mother created the Ounce of Hope Foundation to honor her son’s legacy. You can learn more about their February launch event here.
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