Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Sandra Yi reportingCapt. Mark Peck/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "WE'RE AS BAFFLED AS OTHER PEOPLE AS TO WHAT THE NATURE OF THIS WAS."
Three people are dead, and a suspect is still on the loose, after a mysterious shooting in Salt Lake City. The triple murder happened around 3 o'clock this morning. All three victims, two men and one woman, were found in a Suburban parked outside a 7-11 near 10th West and North Temple.
Police just wrapped up a press conference. They say there are still more questions than answers right now. This is one murder mystery that has investigators baffled.
A store clerk called police early this morning after hearing shots fired outside this 7-11.
Asst. Chief Scott Atkinson/Salt Lake City Police Department: "WE RESPONDED, AND AS YOU CAN SEE THE VEHICLE BEHIND US, WE FOUND 3 PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN SHOT AND KILLED."
Police say no one saw the shootings, but witnesses reported hearing as many as seven gun shots. Two people also told police they saw a white car speeding out of the parking lot. But investigators don't know how, and if, it's related to the case.
Capt. Mark Peck/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "QUITE FRANKLY, WE JUST DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT WHETHER WE HAVE A RANDOM SHOOTING OR IF IT'S RELATED TO SOME OTHER TYPE OF INCIDENT THAT WENT ON IN THE PARKING LOT."
Why the victims were shot is a mystery. Police say they have no criminal history. The three were friends, in their early to late 20s and lived in Salt Lake County.
Capt. Mark Peck/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "AT ONE POINT DURING THE EVENING. THEY WERE AT A PARTY SOMEWHERE IN SALT LAKE CITY. THEY LEFT AT ABOUT 2:30 AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME PEOPLE SAW THEM."
The shootings bring Salt Lake City's murder total to six this year - compared to four this time last year. Police say a case like this is very unusual.
Capt. Mark Peck/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "YOU DON'T SEE TRIPLE HOMICIDES VERY OFTEN AT ALL AND WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS OCCUR, GENERALLY YOU'LL HAVE A SURVIVOR, AT LEAST SOMEBODY WHO GETS THROUGH THIS TYPE OF SHOOTING
Police are not releasing the victims' identities, as they are still notifying family members. And they are still looking for suspects. If you have any information on this case, you're asked to call the Salt Lake City police department.
