Daniel Castro Ruesga, a 37-year-old man from Utah, is accused of murdering his girlfriend by allegedly ramming his pickup truck into her parked Tesla and shooting her multiple times while her four children were inside the home and heard the entire incident unfold, according to police.
Background
Ruesga was taken into custody and booked into the Tooele County Jail on one count of murder, four counts of criminal homicide with domestic violence in the presence of a child, and one count of improper discharge of a firearm following the August 31 shooting that left Silvia Bahena, 37, dead in her garage.
According to investigators, Ruesga had resolved a separate domestic violence-related misdemeanor case earlier this year involving damage to property belonging to someone with whom he lived. Court records obtained by KUTV show Ruesga received a plea in abeyance and six months of probation, along with an order to undergo an anger-management evaluation and complete any recommended treatment. That case formally closed March 3, 2026.
It remains unclear whether the victim in that prior case was the same woman who was killed in last week's shooting.
The Investigation
Tooele City Police Department officers responded just before midnight Aug. 31 to multiple reports of shots fired in the 600 block of E. Kings Landing Road near Emma Lane.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a white Tesla parked inside a garage with a white Toyota Tundra pickup truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle. Bullet casings were found outside the driver-side door of the Tesla, and Bahena was located deceased in the driver's seat.
Ruesga, identified as the registered owner of the Toyota pickup, told officers that "a firearm was left in his vehicle." He was subsequently placed under arrest.
During a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Ruesga allegedly confessed to the killing. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Gephardt Daily, he admitted to intentionally crashing into Bahena's vehicle and shooting her with a handgun multiple times following an argument.
The victim's four children were inside the home during the incident and heard everything unfold before discovering their mother's body.
Key Takeaways
- Ruesga has been charged with murder and four counts of criminal homicide with domestic violence in the presence of a child
- He allegedly confessed to investigators after being read his Miranda rights
- The victim's four children were home during the shooting and witnessed the entire incident
- Bahena was shot multiple times inside her Tesla in her garage after Ruesga allegedly rammed his truck into her vehicle
- A prior domestic violence-related misdemeanor case involving property damage was resolved earlier this year with probation and an anger-management order
- Ruesga is being held in Tooele County Jail without bond
What's Next
Ruesga remains detained at the Tooele County Jail without bond pending his initial court appearance. Court dates have not yet been scheduled, and authorities have not disclosed when he is expected to formally face charges.
The Tooele Police Department continues its investigation into the shooting and is coordinating with prosecutors as they prepare the case for trial.