Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Alex Cabrero reporting Two men wanted for murder are now in jail.
"We're very pleased we were able to locate the suspects quickly and [were] able to arrest them and have them in custody at this time," Lt. Cal Kunz of the Salt Lake City Police Department said.
Police have been investigating a shooting outside the Sears store in downtown Salt Lake City. A teenager was killed and a man was injured there last Sunday.
Last night we showed you pictures of the two men police were looking for in connection to the crime. Early this morning officers found them in the Motel 6 in Woods Cross.
The two suspects had been hiding from police for a week. But early this morning, police arrested Juan Carlos Rodriguez -- who also went by the name of Luis Salazar -- and Alexis Rodriguez. Police weren't sure if they were brothers.
Lt. Kunz said, "We're glad these gentlemen are in custody today."
Police may call them gentlemen, but they also call them murderers. Detectives say the two are responsible for the shooting death of 16-year-old Diego Mendoza last weekend.
People shopping inside Sears last Sunday heard the shooting outside, and ran for safety.
"I totally thought Trolley Square," one shopper said. "I grabbed my niece's hand and ran for the door."
Another shopper told us, "I didn't know what was going on."
After looking at evidence, talking to witnesses, and other detective work, police got a lead late Friday night that the two men they were looking for were at the motel. All it took was a phone call.
Kunz explained, "[Police] were able to learn that the suspects were indeed at that location. They were able to call into the hotel room. The suspects came out and they were able to arrest them without incident."
The two are facing murder charges. The city attorney is looking into other charges, as well.
The man who was injured in the shooting was in stable condition last we checked.
The motive for the crime remains unclear. Investigators have speculated the crime may have been drug- or gang-related.
