Utah County Attorney David Leavitt filed murder charges Wednesday afternoon on two individuals in separate cases.

Leavitt charged Orem resident Hunter Lamoreaux, 25, with murder for the death of Springville resident Gregory Shaffer, 42, who died Saturday.

Lamoreaux was a former neighbor of Shaffer. According to court documents, Lamoreaux was upset regarding a pending divorce and custody battle between Shaffer and his estranged wife, and that Lamoreaux decided approximately two months before the shooting that the victim needed to die.

“Hunter stated he did not feel the victim deserved custody of his children,” read the document.

According to a press release, the investigation is ongoing, and Lamoreaux is being held in the Utah County Jail without bail.

“Our office reviewed the evidence provided to make a determination on the charges we are seeking against the accused,” Leavitt said. “Additional matters are under investigation as we bring this case to trial.”

In northern Utah County, Leavitt is charging Pleasant Grove resident Gage Anthony Dinehart, 21, with murder for the May 19 death of his mother, Nicki Peterson, 40.

Police officials said the mother and son were arguing before the incident occurred, but no motive had been established.

“The answer to conflicts, domestic challenges, and struggle is not with a gun,” said Leavitt, in a press release. “I plead with all — even with seemingly insurmountable challenges — to seek help to resolve such conflicts. Every life is valued. There is far too much escalation that is futile, and yet the results are permanent.”

Not long after police found Peterson, they were approached by Dinehart who told them, “I just shot my mom… I just shot my mom,” according to court documents.

The documents also reveal police recovered video surveillance of the incident.

“The victim gets into the vehicle,” reads the document. “A short time later, a gun appears, and the victim is shot in the face. The victim exits the vehicle screaming. The shooter then circled around to the other side of the vehicle and fired a second shot.”

Dinehart is also being held at the Utah County Jail without bail.

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