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SALT LAKE CITY -- Police are investigating what they are calling a suspicious death in Salt Lake City.
Police officers were called to the area of 100 South and 500 West in Salt Lake City at approximately 7:42 a.m. Monday, after a caller reported a man laying on the sidewalk with blood all over him. When emergency crews arrived, they found German Rodriguez-Torres, 49, dead from a gunshot wound.
"This is not an area that is typically high traffic in the overnight hours," said Sgt. Shawn Josephson of the Salt Lake City Police Department. "At this point, we're trying to determine when it took place and the circumstances surrounding his death."
The man was found shot less than a block from Gateway Mall, prompting police to tape off a wide area to preserve the scene. Officers also concealed the body as much as they could so nearby shoppers could not see the body.
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Investigators are planning on going to businesses in the area, looking for an surveillance video that may have captured something. Officers are also trying to contact the person who found the man, hoping for more details about the man's death.
"Every indication is that this was at the hands of somebody else," Josephson said. "Any homicide is a concern to the citizens as well as the police department and we want to do everything we can to resolve this in a manner that makes the public safe and justice is served."
Police said the motive is unclear at this point, and no weapon was left at the scene.
"There is nothing to indicate that he has any gang connections at this point," Josephson said. "It's early on in the investigation. We're waiting for the medical examiner and they will determine the manner and cause of death. But we are taking it slowly to preserve and make sure we have all of the details that will help us in the investigation."
Police are asking for anyone with information to contact them at 801-799-3000.
Email: spark@ksl.com
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