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Salem police arrest suspect in homicide

Posted at 9:38 PM, Mar 23, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-24 17:49:56-04

SALEM, Utah -- A mother of two from Salem was shot and killed Saturday night by her husband, according to Salem City police.

Salem Police Chief Brad James said Tracy Scott, 47, was arrested for suspicion of murder after he called 911 and confessed to the killing.

“He said, ‘I just shot my wife and killed her,’” James said.

James said when police responded to the home at 445 East 300 South Scott walked outside and surrendered peacefully. Officials then found the body of his wife, 45-year-old Teresa Scott, inside the couple’s bedroom.

James said, “We haven’t had a homicide in 23 years.”

But Saturday wasn’t the first time police have had to respond to the Scott home. During a press conference Sunday, James said the couple had a history of domestic disputes, which date back several years and include various protection orders.

“We’ve been there on a number of family matters," he said. "A couple of them have involved types of violence."

However, the department has not responded to the home in the last three years. Based on interviews conducted since the shooting, police believe more recent problems between the couple may have led to Teresa Scott’s death.

“It’s our understanding, through our investigation, that they’ve been having a marital dispute that’s been ongoing for at least two weeks,” James said.

Police would not detail how many shots were fired during the incident, but two firearms were recovered from the home.

The Scotts have two teenage sons, who were not home at the time of the shooting. Police said the teens are currently staying with family friends.

Tracy Scott is being held at the Utah County Jail.