20-year-old West Jordan woman shot dead as children sleep
Boyfriend is arrested but hasn't been charged in the death
West Jordan Police Capt. Gary Cox said Friday that investigators are still trying determine a motive or whether the shooting was accidental.
About 1 a.m., police responded to a domestic violence call at the Geneva Village Apartments, 1375 W. 7000 South. When they arrived, they found Kari Lynn San Miguel had been shot once in the upper torso.
San Miguel was flown by medical helicopter to LDS Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators later arrested Jose Luis Topete and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of a stolen firearm, all second-degree felonies.
Topete also had a gunshot wound to his hand, apparently from the same bullet that struck San Miguel, Cox said. The bullet went through Topete's palm. He was treated at a local hospital before being released to police and booked into jail. Topete admitted to firing the weapon that struck San Miguel, he said. Police were still trying to determine Friday how Topete also shot himself during the incident.
A manslaughter charge means the shooting could have been accidental, reckless or negligent, Cox said. There is a possibility the charge could be upgraded later if necessary, he said.
Three to five adults were in the apartment when the shooting occurred. San Miguel's two children were asleep upstairs.
Paula Curtis was one of the first neighbors to run to San Miguel's apartment. Curtis, who lives in the apartment next door, said she was awaked by screams and the sounds of frightened people.
"When I came outside this girl asked me if I knew CPR," she said. "Then she handed me the phone and asked me to talk (to 911) because she couldn't do it."
Curtis said when she entered the apartment she saw San Miguel lying on the floor between the kitchen and the living room.
"There was bloodstains all over the floor," she said.
Curtis said a man whom she described as the victim's boyfriend was in a "distraught mode" and was trying to shake San Miguel to get her to wake up. The boyfriend then said, "he was going to find out what happened," according to Curtis.
"I'm so sick by it," she said of the incident. "I have been through hell tonight. It just frightens me to death to know it happened so close to my kids."
Neighbor Ben Atwood said he got home about 11:30 p.m. Thursday from a Thanksgiving dinner and was awake when the shooting happened.
Atwood said San Miguel's children, aged 3 and 4, slept through the entire incident. He said they were still sleeping when other relatives carried them out of the house so they could stay with their grandmother.
Comments
- Priestley and wife welcome baby 2:30 p.m.
- Panel: Banks underpaying gov't 2:20 p.m.
- Stocks falter 2:19 p.m.
- CA's creditors look to options 2:08 p.m.
- Credit card pain 2:07 p.m.
- Bolster SEC's authority? 1:45 p.m.
- Oil below $60 1:42 p.m.
- Putin scene on 'South Park' cut 1:32 p.m.
- Program extended beyond wiretaps 1:05 p.m.
- Jazz down Oklahoma City 1:05 p.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
136 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
131 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
84 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
People are getting defensive here. The girl did not go to authorities like...
So what is it that Utah can offer California? And any other state for that...
You need to understand Mormon culture. Mormons aren't blaming Satan for the...
How easy and appropriate would it have been to announce before the flag was...
They (the Mormons) ask for it - the days are forever gone when a Mormon can...
Sorry to disappoint the friends of "mike", but nobody is so great that they...
you always make a rough draft before composing a masterpiece. haha just...
What is up with the respect for this guy? He has seen way too much playing...
The last democrat to rule the White House with a backbone was FDR. Obama to...
Now I've heard it all. Welcome to Utah - home of The Big Waters! 90% of the...



You can be the first to comment on this story.