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ST. GEORGE — Police arrested two St. George men hours after a shooting left two women dead and a man hospitalized early Saturday.
Police received a "shots fired" call at about 3:14 a.m. at a complex of condos and town homes at 575 S. Main. "We get down here and we find three victims. Two females are dead, the male has a gunshot wound," said St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding.
Police identified the victims as Jerrica Christensen, 20, of Santa Clara; Brandie Sue Dawn Jerden, 27, St George; and James Fiske, 28, also of St. George.
We don't know that it was over drugs, we don't know that it was a drug deal gone bad, whether or not the people use drugs -- that's another thing. We're still looking into a motive.
–St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding
The women were found in two different rooms. Both have criminal records.
Christensen pled guilty two years ago to criminal mischief and assault and faced sentencing next week for theft. Jerden was arrested nine years ago for criminal mischief and drugs but the charges were later dismissed.
The wounded man, Fiske, was found in a vehicle moments after the shooting. Police stopped him as he tried to drive away.
Before he was hospitalized in serious condition, Fiske spoke briefly to police in an effort to help launch the investigation.
Harding said a medical examiner was at the scene Saturday morning working to determine the cause of death for the two women. Police have not revealed if the women were shot.
Harding said Fiske's injuries are not life threatening.
Before noon, police were questioning two men who were later arrested and booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility.
Paul Ashton, 31, of St. George, is being held for investigation of attempted aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated murder, and Brandon Perry Smith, 29, also of St. George, is being held for investigation of aggravated murder and aggravated assault.
"We don't know that it was over drugs, we don't know that it was a drug deal gone bad, whether or not the people use drugs -- that's another thing," said Harding. "We're still looking into a motive."
Both men have had previous run-ins with the law in the St. George area. Police say this is the first double homicide they've ever seen in the area.
Story compiled with contributions from Steve Fidel and John Hollenhorst.
