A professional bull rider was tragically shot dead on Monday by his on-again-off-again girlfriend after the couple attended the Utah State Fair. Police officials have described the horrific crime as an incident of domestic violence.

Professional Bull Rider Killed

Daily Mail reported that Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, who went by the name “Ouncie Mitchell” professionally in the world of bull riding, was found with “at least one gunshot wound” outside of the apartment of LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21.

Allen was reportedly taken to a local hospital where he eventually died of his wounds. He is survived by a four year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Bagley has since been arrested and hit with a first-degree murder charge as well as a third-degree felony discharge of a firearm. Though he lived in Houston, Texas, Allen had traveled to Salt Lake City for the state fair, and he’d planned to stay with Bagley. As per police officials, Allen and Bagley had “on-and-off relationship” during his time there. It is believed that he met her in Houston, as she previously lived in a suburb there.

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Police Reveal More About Shooting

Police said that Allen and Bagley had gone to the fair together before heading to a bar, where they got into an argument. This exchange got so heated the professional bull rider reportedly said he wanted to return to Bagley’s apartment to pack his belongings and leave.

As per court documents obtained by FOX 13, bullet holes were found in Bagley’s apartment leading the police to believe Allen was not inside when he was shot; pointing to Bagley shooting multiple times through a glass door.

The Salt Lake City Police Department stated, that there is “no indication of any forced entry or attempted forced entry into the apartment.” They also said this was an isolated incident that was related to a domestic dispute between Allen and Bagley, with the former being the aggressor.

“So we believe that this was an isolated situation, domestic related and there is no threat to the public at this time,” declared Detective Michelle Peterson.

Check out an old interview with Allen from 2018 below. 

Tributes For Allen

An accomplished bull rider, Allen was ranked 23rd in the sport with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Sean Gleason, commissioner and CEO of Professional Bull Riders, issued a statement paying tribute to Allen after news of his death broke.

“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.”

Gleason went on to explain out Allen got his nickname because he “was born small,” adding that the professional bull rider, “grew up to compete with a huge heart.”

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Allen’s Cousin Speaks Out

Mitchell, Allen’s cousin who is also a professional bull rider, spoke out to say, “I don’t understand and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to understand. 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 added. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother.”

Bagley is being held without bond at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail as police continue to investigate the tragic incident. 

While most people think of domestic abuse cases as only having men be the aggressors, this serves as a reminder that women can be domestic abusers as well. It’s sad that Allen has been cut down in the prime of his life, and we’d like you to join us in saying a prayer for his friends and family during this difficult time.

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