Unified Police have arrested three people in connection with a Kearns shooting that killed one man and seriously wounded another on Wednesday, the department announced Saturday.
A 38-year-old man from Kearns, and a 37-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man from Salt Lake City were arrested.
The department earlier this week had asked for the public’s help to identify three persons of interest, releasing photos of three individuals and two vehicles.
John Herman Tonga, 34, was killed at a home near 4800 South and 4700 West about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. After receiving a report of shots fired at the house, police arrived to find him dead on the ground outside; an emergency clinic reported a second man who suffered a gunshot wound at the home had come in for treatment. Police said he was wounded at the same home.
Police said the 38-year-old was outside with Tonga just before he was killed, and that the 37-year-old tried to rob another person at gunpoint at the gathering of people Wednesday.
The 38- and 37-year-old were booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony, and felonious discharge of a weapon, a third-degree felony.
The third suspect was arrested on firearm and drug charges when police searched his home near the crime scene and allegedly found two assault rifles and methamphetamine, according to court documents.
