From Deseret News archives:

More than 90 shells left: Police are tracing Trolley Square shooter's guns; videotape seized

Published: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007 10:43 a.m. MST
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The key focus of homicide detectives is trying to learn why the tragedy happened.

"Motive is very important to us right now," Salt Lake City police detective Jeff Bedard said Tuesday. "We're trying to give the victims and everyone some understanding as to why."

Police said Talovic drove to the Trolley Square mall on Feb. 12 in a green Mazda 626. Detectives did not find anything in the car that would help them determine a motive or really anything of evidentiary value, Bedard said.

Wearing a backpack full of ammunition and a bandolier of shotgun shells around his waist, Talovic rampaged through the mall, killing five and wounding four others. Witnesses described his expression as calm, with a bit of a smirk on his face.

Talovic confronted an off-duty police officer, who engaged him in a shootout until Salt Lake City police arrived and helped end the killing spree.

When Talovic didn't return home early Tuesday morning, his father, Suljo, called police at the request of his mother.

"She was wondering if he was one of the victims," Omerovic said.

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The police showed up with the news that not only was Talovic dead but he was the killer. Sabira had such a terrible reaction, she had to be hospitalized.

Some of Talovic's victims continue to recover in area hospitals. Stacy Hanson, 53, who was wounded in the mall, is reported to be in fair condition. Alan "AJ" Walker has been upgraded to fair condition at University Hospital. Family members said the 16-year-old boy is awake and eating. His father, 52-year-old Jeffrey Walker, died while trying to protect his son from Talovic.

Carolyn Tuft, 44, has also been upgraded to fair condition. Tuft is expected to undergo more reconstructive surgery today, said her brother-in-law, Robert Morgan.

"But she continues to improve and is our miracle girl," he said Tuesday.

Tuft's family considers it a miracle that she was shot at point-blank range with a shotgun but the pellets missed all of her vital organs and her spine.

"The doctors are very hopeful for her recovery," Morgan said.

The family expects it will still be another two weeks or so before she is strong enough to attend a funeral for her daughter, 15-year-old Kirsten Hinckley, who was killed by Talovic. The family has delayed Hinckley's funeral to allow Tuft to attend.

Shawn Munns, 34, was released from the hospital on Monday and is recovering at home, family members said.

Another funeral service was held in Buffalo, N.Y., on Tuesday for Teresa Ellis, 29, who was killed in the Cabin Fever novelty and card shop with Brad Frantz, 24.

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Sulejman Talovic

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