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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police say a woman shot to death early Tuesday was the victim of domestic violence.
Officers were called to the area of 900 West and South Temple just after 3:30 a.m. on a report of five to six shots being fired. They arrived to find a 31-year-old woman who had been shot.
The woman's girlfriend, Patrice Ann Winward, 31, was administering CPR to the victim when first responders arrived. The female victim, whose name was not released Tuesday pending notification of family members, was pronounced dead at the scene.
As detectives investigated the case, they learned that Winward and the victim were riding bicycles in the area shortly before the fatal shooting and arguing, according to a prepared statement released Tuesday afternoon by the police department.
A police booking affidavit further states that witnesses told police the two women were engaged in a "'heated verbal argument,' yelling obscenities at each other with the victim trying to get away from Patrice."
"Witnesses reported the argument ended after multiple gunshots rang out," police further stated. "After allegedly shooting the victim, Winward is accused of giving someone instructions to hide the suspected murder weapon."
The gun was later found in a storm drain. After Winward confirmed to police that she was in a relationship with the victim, she immediately left to go to her home nearby claiming she had a "medical emergency," according to police.
"Officers followed Winward to her residence and detained her pursuant to the investigation," police stated.
When detectives interviewed her, Winward eventually admitted to getting into an argument "and shooting multiple shots towards the victim in order to prevent her from leaving. Patrice heard the victim scream out and then upon approach realized she was injured and observed the victim go unconscious," the affidavit states.
Winward was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder, obstructing justice and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Contributing: Linda Williams, KSL.com
