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BOUNTIFUL — A Bountiful man was arrested Sunday amid a large police presence at his house after officers say he claimed he was "100% committed to taking a life" and claimed to have explosives.
Robert Jack Turville, 62, was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of criminal solicitation, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a deadly weapon with intent to assault, and three counts of making a threat of violence.
The investigation began Friday when employees at Sportsman's Warehouse, 165 W. 7200 South, called Unified police to report that Turville had been fired from the store after another employee secretly recorded him stating that "he was 100% committed to taking a life. The threats were to kill five specific individuals, then himself," according to a police affidavit.
Turville had allegedly asked the other employee to place Tannerite in some vehicles. Tannerite is a binary explosive. Police were also informed that Turville was believed to be in possession of at least 10 guns, according to the affidavit.
A Unified police officer listened to the recording and noted "several phrases in which Turville makes direct references to threats to use weapons of mass destruction, threats of violence, possessing deadly weapons with the intent to commit criminal acts, as well as threats of violence," the affidavit states.
Police say some of the intended victims were family members.
Police arranged to meet with Turville on Friday, but said he later cut off communication with officers and would not answer his phone. Police held surveillance on his house, 2139 Ridgewood Way, but he managed to slip past them, according to the affidavit, and was found at a family member's home in Holladay on Sunday and arrested.
After his arrest, Turville claimed there was Tannerite in his Bountiful residence, the affidavit states. Unified police and the Davis Metro SWAT team served a search warrant on his house. Detective Ken Hansen said the warrant was served successfully and "there were no problems."
It was unclear Monday what was found inside the house.
Police have requested Turville be held in jail without bail, noting that he was carrying his passport with him when he was arrested.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
