West Jordan • Police have named a suspect in the deaths of a West Jordan couple who were shot at their home by an intruder.
Police are looking for Albert Enoch Johnson, 31. He is 5-foot-10 and about 270 pounds. He was an acquaintance of Tony and Katherine Butterfield, who were killed early Saturday in what police have described as a home invasion. Katherine Butterfield died inside her home, while Tony was found dead in the yard. They died of gunshot wounds, and police have not recovered the gun.
Police are also looking for a 2008 Toyota Corolla, license plate V464MW. Investigators believe Johnson has been stabbed and may have knife injuries on his arms and legs. It appears the suspect fought with Tony Butterfield in the yard before Butterfield died.
Johnson’s wife was arrested for withholding information and interfering in the investigation. According to a probable cause statement, Sina Anne Johnson, 29, “withheld the whereabouts of the homicide suspect” and “falsified her [statements] of what occurred and her involvement.”
Police wrote that Sina Johnson was in contact with her husband “on multiple occasions prior to and after the homicide.” And, according to police, she “admitted ... to disposing of the evidence.” She was booked into the Salt Lake County jail for investigation of obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. She is being held without bail.
This is still an ongoing investigation, Sgt. J.C. Holt said during a news conference Monday afternoon. “So it’s hard to say at this time what the motive is.”
Holt said Albert Johnson had a criminal history and had a West Jordan address, but not in the same neighborhood as the Butterfields’ home near 3200 West and 6900 South.
(Courtesy of the Butterfield family) Tony and Katherine C. Butterfield were killed in an apparent home invasion in West Jordan early Saturday, April 18, 2020.
“This was a targeted and isolated act,” Holt said. “Not random.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 801-840-4000.
Police learned about the shooting Saturday around 1:15 a.m., after a neighbor called and reported that she heard gunshots and a woman screaming.
Holt said that police have found signs of forced entry into the Butterfield home and it appears that the suspect rummaged through the couple’s belongings, though it is not clear what the suspect took.
The person also acted alone, and Holt said police are not looking for any other suspects.
The couple’s three young children, who were home at the time of the incident and were unharmed, are staying with family members. A GoFundMe account has been set up to support the children.
