After a high-speed chase with police, a 16-year-old Piute High School student was shot and killed on Sunday. a 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with her death.
Just before 10 p.m., shots were heard on Doc Springs Road, about four miles north of Circleville. Deputies from the Piute County Sheriff’s Office attended the scene. A statement from the sheriff’s office on Monday said the body of a 16-year-old girl who had been shot to death was found near a dirt road about 15 minutes later.
The sheriff’s office told other deputies and agencies in the area to look for a blue Ford Ranger. The statement did not say how the deputies knew to look for that car. A Sevier County deputy saw the car near Glenwood, Sevier provincejust after 11pm. It was about 60 miles from Circleville.
“When the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled and led officers in a high-speed chase, which ended near Salina,” said the sheriff.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested without any problems. The boy has since been charged with aggravated murder in 6th District Juvenile Court, according to the sheriff’s office. However, Piute County attorney Scott Burns is pondering whether to “directly file” the teen, which would move his case to the adult system.
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The girl was a sophomore at Piute High School. Her name has not yet been released as her family needs to be notified. Relatives who had already heard of the horrific event posted tributes on social media.
“You were our baby, the youngest yet the bravest. I can’t put into words everything I want to say to you. I know you’re safe now, I hope you’re having a good time up there with grandma and grandpa and all the colorful babies. Don’t worry about the fur babies down here, it’s our turn to take care of them.” one woman posted expressing the sadness and “numbness” she feels.
“Thank you for always being my ray of sunshine. I’m going to miss your presence every second of every day. Stay tuned from there, can’t wait to see you again. Remember you are so loved, little baby.
“We appreciate all the love and support, but the details are too much [bear] on this point. As for her killer, we hope the law hits you as hard as it can and then some,” concluded the post.
Another family member posted, “Last night was the worst day of my entire existence… I am in pain beyond words. I feel a level of pain I never knew existed.”
In Piute County, Utah, a 17-year-old boy shot his 16-year-old girlfriend and left her dead on the side of the road.
Southern Utah is still reeling from the mass shooting of 8 by the father of an Enoch family after the mother filed for divorce.https://t.co/6ytXkydYul
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) January 10, 2023
“I wish this was all a horrible nightmare, but it isn’t. And you’re gone forever,” continued the message. “Please hug your loved ones. What I would give to tell you I love you and give you one last hug. Piute sheriff Marty Gleave said his county is “devastated.”
“We are a small province and everyone knows this victim and her family,” he said in a statement. “Murders don’t happen where we live and so, as you can imagine, everyone from Piute High School students, teachers and staff to friends and neighbors are in shock and reeling from this tragedy.”
The Piute School District said in a statement released Monday morning that their hearts and thoughts are with the girl’s family. They also told parents and students that the counselors would be at school all week for anyone who felt the need to talk, but if parents chose to keep their children home on Monday, their absences would be excused.
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