Police arrest 3 in connection with Salt Lake homicide


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Police arrested three suspects Thursday in connection the murder of a Salt Lake father of two. Officers say one of the suspects is the murdered man's wife.

Just after sunrise Thursday morning, 28-year-old Juan Rubio was waiting for a ride outside his home near 500 North and 1700 West. He would never make it to work.

Juan Rubio and his family.
Juan Rubio and his family.

Around 6:15, a light-blue Nissan pulled up and someone inside opened fire. At least one person witnessed the shooting, and others heard it take place.

"It was like just seconds," one neighbor said. "I heard sirens and I thought, 'Oh my dear God, it's so close.'" Neighbors reported hearing anywhere between three and five gunshots in rapid succession, then heard a screeching car taking off.

"I heard five shots, and about five minutes later I heard a car squealing around a corner," said Mike Potts.

"I saw everyone running towards this way," said neighbor Diana Fraga. "I was hoping no one got hurt, but then look what happened."

Rubio was shot several times and died shortly after police arrived. His wife and two boys -- ages 3 and 5 years old -- were inside the house when he was shot. They're now left without a father.

"He was a really good man," said Rubio's brother-in-law Salvador Campucano. "He always stayed home with the kids. I've never seen him making any trouble."

A Salt Lake City neighborhood was on lockdown as police and a SWAT team searched for an armed gunman.
A Salt Lake City neighborhood was on lockdown as police and a SWAT team searched for an armed gunman.

By mid afternoon, police and SWAT officers had surrounded a home near 1000 South and 1100 West. Neighbors were instructed to stay inside, and an elementary school was placed under lockdown.

"We received information that the possible shooter from this morning's homicide may be located at a house in the area of 10th South and Emery Street," Salt Lake City police Lt. Melody Gray told reporters. "We've been able to locate one person that was in that house, and he is currently being questioned."

After searching the home, officers found no one else was inside.

Now three people are in custody: 25-year-old Jose Alan Gallegos Mendoza, 26-year-old Jose Adrien Rodriguez, and 27-year-old Marta Campuzano -- Rubio's own wife. They've been booked on criminal homicide and obstruction of justice charges.

Police say they believe the suspects and the victim know each other and are originally from the same town in Mexico. They don't yet know of a motive for the shooting.

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Story compiled with contributions from Jennifer Stagg, Sandra Yi and Shara Park.

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