Sapp Brothers guards spend a lot of time walking around the parking lot, ensuring no one is on the property who isn't allowed.

Transients and criminals sometimes frequent the business, Kilgrow said. Officials ask them to leave if they beg for money.

Ewell said security guards have the legal authority to ask any patrons to leave their businesses. If the patrons don't leave, police are called, and unwelcome patrons can be cited for trespassing.

Ninety minutes after the fatal shooting, a stream of about 20 customers and workers left the business. None talked to the crowd of reporters waiting just beyond crime scene tape. They refused to say whether they had been told not to talk. Instead, they just kept their heads down or made hand gestures motioning their unwillingness to speak.

"Please don't approach any of our employees," one diner employee said, between sobs. "We won't be open until tomorrow."

After dodging news crews, a group of employees gathered in the frigid parking lot, smoking and talking. Others rushed to their vehicles or into the waiting arms of family members who had come to see whether they were OK.

Ewell said he had not seen anything like Wednesday's bizarre homicide in all his years as a police officer.

"All over a pack of gum," he said. "We're as shocked as anyone."

Police were unsure Wednesday whether the handgun was registered.

A preliminary search of Utah court records shows Malcolm has been charged with crimes such as aggravated assault, threats against life and property, battery and disturbing the peace. However, the records did not show Malcolm ever being convicted of a crime more significant than speeding.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com