SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – September 19, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) –
Police have made an arrest in the murder of three people, whose bodies were found inside a Salt Lake City home at 639 North Sir Philip Drive around 5:00 p.m. Friday.
According to the Salt Lake City Detective Richard Chipping, Alexander Tran, 32, was taken into custody when police found him inside the residence along with the bodies.
Police say Tran was armed at the time of his arrest.
Police have identified the victims, as two-month-old, Lyrik Poike, her 50 year-old guardian and grandmother, Heike Poike, and a 28-year-old man, Dakota Smith.
All three had been shot to death.
Officers were first sent to the home Friday after being notified that an eight-year-boy who lived at the residence had not been picked up after school from Escalante Elementary.
Police were attempting to make contact with the residents inside the home when they saw a body covered by a tarp through one of the windows. Officers conducted a safety sweep after gaining entry through an unlocked back door. Once inside, they found the three bodies, along with the suspect, who was arrested without incident.
Police say the murder victims were living in the main floor of the home, while Tran lived in the basement.
They say it’s unclear who actually owned the property.
Police have yet to reveal a motive for the murders.
We’ll have more on this developing story as the information becomes available.
DEVELOPING
