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PRICE — An Emery County man accused of shooting and killing his mother and one of his adult brothers was charged Wednesday with two counts of aggravated murder.
Seth Gordon Peterson, 25, of Ferron, was charged in Carbon County's 7th District Court with the first-degree felony murder counts, in addition to attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; and failing to stop at the command of an officer, a third-degree felony.
On Nov. 2, prosecutors say Peterson shot Susan Peterson, 45, and James Peterson, 23, in a field near a farmhouse outside Hiawatha, Carbon County.
The Carbon County Sheriff's Office said the day after the incident that Susan and James Peterson had gone to that area to pick up Seth Peterson. But they weren't sure why he was there or if he had any ties to the ranch.
According to charging documents, other members of the Peterson family were nearby or present during the shootings.
"I just shot my mom in the (expletive) face," Seth Peterson was heard saying after shooting his mother, charges state.
After Susan Peterson was shot, James Peterson drove to where his mother had fallen. That's when Seth Peterson approached the vehicle, shot James, and then took off in the truck James Peterson was driving, according to charging documents.
Seth Peterson then drove the truck up to another man and said, "You have to help me hide two bodies," charges state.
Seth Peterson then "pushed the barrel of a rifle" into the man's chest, according to charging documents. When the man pushed the gun away and tried to detain Seth Peterson, he grabbed a crowbar and hit the man several times, "narrowly missing his head and significantly injuring his left arm," charges state.
Seth Peterson was arrested following a car and foot chase. The sheriff said several high-powered rifles were recovered from the scene.
As of Wednesday, no motive had been unveiled by authorities.
On Nov. 4, a family member posted a message on James Peterson's Facebook page as if he were James after his death.
"I am with my mother, I am happy, I am whole. I love everyone with all my heart. Don't forget about me. I will not forget about you. Death is a transition to a better place. Mom says hi and that she loves all of you. I forgive you Seth. I know it was the drugs, not you. Mom forgives you. She knows it was the drugs, not you. Make the world happier for me, now that I have passed."
Susan Peterson had 15 children ranging in age from 28 to 3.
Hiawatha is an old coal mining town. The mine shut down in the early 1990s, but there are still residents who live in the town. The bodies were found several miles outside of town.
Seth Peterson made an initial appearance in court Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
