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SALT LAKE CITY — Three people have been arrested in connection with Tuesday's double homicide at a Comfort Inn in Salt Lake City. But the shooter, police said, is not under arrest. The Salt Lake City police department said 40-year-old Tiffani Papach, 38-year-old Kendra Mitchell and 56-year-old Kevin Thrower were all taken into custody. The identities of the two men who were shot dead were not released, nor was that of the alleged shooter. A probable cause statement for the incident said the events started when a person renting a room at the inn contacted Mitchell, a paid escort, and asked her to meet in person. An argument soon ensued when she asked the man to pay upfront for services. Mitchell then called Papach and said, "The guest was not paying," according to police. "Mitchell allegedly contacted Papach to send two men to the hotel as 'security' or 'protection' regarding the payment dispute," SLCPD said. "Papach and the two men later arrived — one man armed with a handgun — and forced their way into the hotel room." Police said the two men, who claimed to be the "security," assaulted the man in the hotel room and took his car keys after he said he didn't have any money. At some point during the assault, both of the men were shot and died from their injuries. Both Papach and Mitchell were arrested under suspicion of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Papach was additionally accused of obstruction of justice. Thrower was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice for attempting to mislead officers while they searched for Mitchell. When police initially approached him, Thrower said Mitchell had left the scene, but she was actually standing right next to him. The shooter was not arrested, SLCPD said.
