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One dead in Moab shooting; police searching for last of five suspects

(Photo courtesy Moab police) Martin Armenta Verduzco Lopez, or the alias Omar. He is wanted for questioning in an Oct. 28, 2018, homicide in Moab.

(Photo courtesy Moab police) Martin Armenta Verduzco Lopez, or the alias Omar. He is wanted for questioning in an Oct. 28, 2018, homicide in Moab.

Police in Moab are trying to find a person suspected in a weekend homicide.

The victim has been identified as Edgar Luna Najera, 30. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a news release.

Detectives are trying to find a man who uses the name Martin Armenta Verduzco Lopez, or the alias Omar. He is described as a Latino, about 30 years old. A news release says he may be on his way to Grand Junction, Colo.

“We believe that Omar," Moab police Chief Jim Winder said in a phone interview Monday, "or Martin, as his name is we believe actually is, is the primary suspect at this point.”

Winder said Lopez is “dangerous.” He is from Mexico, Winder said, and might try to flee there.

According to the release, Moab police responded to a report of a fight about 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the 200 West block of Walnut Lane. One resident took officers to a trailer where Najera was dead inside.

Police received information that five people fled from the area in a black sports-utility vehicle. That vehicle was found in Moab a short time later. The news release said four of the five people have been found and questioned. Lopez is the fifth person, Winder said.

The other four people have not been taken into custody, Winder said.

Anyone with information in the case can call Moab police at 435-259-8938.

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