Public safety news fromstaff and wire reports
Salt Lake Tribune
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Police discover apparent murder-suicide in Provo
Provo police will wait for autopsy results before concluding their inquiry into an apparent murder-suicide discovered Friday evening at 923 E. 200 North. Sgt. Bud Walker said Saturday that the victims, a man and woman whose identities were not released Saturday, were co-habitants of the home for about a year. Walker said there was no record of domestic violence between the victims, who were found shot to death. Police checked the home at the request of relatives who had not heard from the couple for a while. A rifle was found near the bodies.
Facing felony charges, fire chief quits his job
A fire chief charged last week with two second-degree felony counts of enticing a minor over the Internet has quit his job with the Unified Fire Authority. Dennis Steadman's resignation was effective Feb. 17, the day after the former battalion chief was arrested for allegedly attempting twice to arrange a meeting with a 13-year-old "girl" who was actually an agent with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Steadman was released from jail Wednesday and is scheduled to appear Thursday before 3rd District Judge Dennis Fuchs.
SLC street closed after acid is found in house
The Salt Lake City bomb squad, with the help of its robot and firefighters, was able Friday to burn away a highly volatile and explosive substance found in an unoccupied house. The owner of the home, in the 600 East block of 300 South, reported to the Salt Lake Valley Health Department that she had about a half-pound of picric acid, which had crystallized, said Scott Freitag, Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman. The Health Department notified the Fire Department about 11 a.m. The street was closed for several hours while bomb technicians destroyed the acid.
Man suspected of arson following apartment fire
Unified Fire Authority firefighters knew quickly Friday morning that they were dealing with an arsonist: The house blaze they were dispatched to fight in the area of 3500 South and 900 East seemed to have started in at least three different places in the home. Later Friday, the apartment's 38-year-old tenant was arrested on suspicion of arson, and the woman was being held Saturday in the Salt Lake County Jail. Fire officials declined to comment on what evidence linked the woman to the blaze. Charges may be filed Monday.