A Payson man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a man whose body was found under a train overpass in Springville.
According to police, the 25-year-old suspect — who has not yet been charged — “admitted … he had spent most of the day and evening with” the victim “smoking cocaine and methamphetamine, and drinking alcohol.” According to a probable cause statement, the suspect told police that by 10 p.m. on Saturday, “he was so high, he couldn't remember anything that happened after that.”
The victim — identified by police as Lazaro A. Nieves-Morales — was found against the south wall of the overpass on 1600 South near 300 East about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to police, Nieves had been shot five times.
Witnesses told police the suspect has been with Nieves about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, an hour before the body was found. Police said fresh graffiti — white paint — was found near the body. According to the probable cause statement, the suspect’s car had white paint on the passenger side and rear tires, and witnesses said they had cleaned more white paint off the vehicle. Police said photographs of tire marks taken at the scene where Nieves’ body was found matched the tires on the suspect’s car.
The suspect said he had had a gun in the trunk of his car, but it was no longer there. According to police, when the suspect was asked if he could have shot the victim, he “indicated it was possible.”
The suspect was booked into the Utah County jail on suspicion of murder and obstruction of justice. His bail was set at $250,000.
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