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Police arrest suspect in South Salt Lake homicide

Posted at 8:54 AM, May 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-15 12:30:29-04

TOOELE, Utah — Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened in South Salt Lake in mid-April.

An off-duty South Salt Lake officer tracked down 35-year-old Jeffery Ray Shepherd in Tooele Sunday night. The officer, who lives in Tooele, spotted what he thought might be the suspect's vehicle - a silver Chevy Sonic hatchback.

Local officers and South Salt Lake detectives converged on the scene and arrested Shepherd, who was booked into Salt Lake County Metro Jail Monday morning.

Shepherd is suspected of killing 46-year-old Matthew Holt, who was found shot to death in a parking lot near 3200 South and 900 West in South Salt Lake on April 16.

According to a statement of probable cause, Shepherd admitted to demanding and taking money from the victim at gunpoint and then shooting him.

"He then picked up the spent shell casing at the scene, washed blood from his car, and disposed of the casing, gun, and his clothing," the statement said.

Police said Shepherd admitted to those crimes after he had been read his Miranda rights.

Shepherd faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and evidence tampering. He will likely make his first court appearance later this week.

Holt’s father, Earl Holt said it was a big relief when he got the call from police, that they had found the suspected killer.

“We have no remorse for the guy,” said Holt. “We just don’t want him to do it to someone else and it is a relief.”

Watch FOX 13 News and fox13now.com for updates.