Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
KEARNS — Unified police have arrested a person of interest in connection with a fatal shooting in Kearns.
Daniel Lopez Santiago, 18, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Thursday for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a weapon. But in his police booking affidavit, investigators say Santiago "is also a person of interest in a current homicide investigation."
On Sept. 3, Unified police were called just before 8 a.m. to 4057 W. 4990 South on a report of an unconscious man. They arrived to discover that Vincente Peralta-Figueroa, 25, had been shot and killed in a detached garage on the property. A homicide investigation was launched.
Police say Peralta-Figueroa had been living at the home for about a month. Elmer Areiga Hernandez, 30, also lived in the home. But when investigators attempted to question Hernandez, he "changed his story multiple times," according to charging documents, and "has actively tried to impede the investigation."
Hernandez was charged Wednesday with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.
Detectives learned Hernandez had gone to another home early on Sept. 3 and was "very emotional." Hernandez allegedly told the homeowner that he, Peralta-Figueroa and another unidentified man had gotten into a fight. Hernandez claimed his friend was injured from fighting Peralta-Figueroa, the charges state. The homeowner told Hernandez he needed to take his friend to the hospital and call police. Instead, police say Hernandez drove off.
Police say "a person of interest was developed and identified as Daniel Lopez Santiago," according to the affidavit.
Detectives went through Santiago's social media posts and found "a video and photographic post was made on his account which shows Daniel possessing a firearm, manipulating a firearm and shooting a firearm, presumably all the same weapon. Through further investigative means, Daniel was discovered to be an illegal immigrant who has been staying in the United States. He has several documented United States border crossing attempts," the affidavit states.
Because of his illegal immigration status, Santiago is not allowed to possess a gun. He was located and taken into custody. When questioned about the homicide, Santiago invoked his right to remain silent and asked for an attorney, the affidavit states.
The investigation into the homicide continued Friday.
