Estimated read time: 1-2 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Jill Atwood Reporting.... More details tonight about a shocking murder suicide at a busy downtown intersection Sunday.
Police have confirmed today that the shooting was in fact random. We also know a lot more about the shooter and his victim.
Police confirm 26 year old Jeffrey Mayer had a history of mental illness. But beyond that police aren't saying much more. Police want to find out where 26 year old Jeffrey Mayer got a gun and then why he decided to use it on an innocent 29 year old woman, then himself.
Police officer: "IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THEY KNEW EACH OTHER WHATSOEVER.
The only thing detectives did find out about Mayer is that he stayed here at the Hotel Stratford.
Dwayne Baird/Salt Lake City Police Department: "OUR INVESTIGATORS HAVE DETERMINED THROUGH FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAS HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN TIMES PAST AND THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE EPISODES...OFF HIS MEDICATION??..DON'T KNOW THAT."
In fact, a call to Valley Mental Health turned up one year of outpatient counseling for Mayer back in 1999. At the time he was receiving medication management services, but was not considered a danger.
His mother later confirmed for us that Mayer was suffering from schizophrenia and was very frightened of people.
His victim was 29 year old Midge Perkins-Uribe.
A native of Tennesee, she had just finished her mission at Temple Square, and has just landed a new job out at the airport. She lived just about 4 blocks from where she was killed.
A co-worker of Ms. Uribe says the news is heartbreaking. Uribe worked as a customer service representative, and is described as a very pleasant young lady.
Police will do toxicology tests to determine if Mayer had any drugs in his system.
