Suspect in Utah triple homicide case is arrested on obstruction charge

Police arrested a second man connected to a February triple homicide Sunday in Midvale after they happened on him during an unrelated probation check.

Davis Romney Fotu, 33, was found about 8 p.m. at an East Millcreek condominium, 3692 S. 2700 East, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal. Fotu initially resisted arrest and was zapped several times with a Taser, police said, before finally being taken into custody and booked on one count of obstruction of justice in connection to the homicide.

A federal probation officer, with a UPD officer in tow, discovered Fotu in the condo while following up on a narcotics complaint with a probationer. The UPD officer recognized Fotu.

Investigators suspect Fotu, of Riverton, is the second man involved in the Feb. 12 homicide at 8286 S. Adams St. (450 West), which police have described as a "known drug house" that was searched as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation in January.

Prosecutors have charged David Fresques, 25, with three counts of first-degree felony aggravated murder and one count of aggravated attempted murder in the deaths of 35-year-old Omar Paul Jarman, 34-year-old Shontay Nichole Young and 26-year-old Danielle Lucero. In court documents, prosecutors contend Fresques went from room to room inside the Murray home, gunning down his victims.

Fresques was arrested one day after the murders and is now being held without bond in the Salt Lake County Jail.

A motive for the murders has not been identified, and no weapon has been recovered.

Investigators have not said what role they believe Fotu, who was not publicly identified until Feb. 19, may have played in the murders. Fotu was taken to UPD headquarters for questioning Sunday evening.

"Hopefully, tonight, talking to him, we'll be able to put some of those pieces together," Hoyal said.

Fotu has a criminal history dating back to 1998 that includes convictions for felony aggravated assault, theft and criminal mischief and misdemeanor driving under the influence. In 2001 Fotu also pleaded guilty to a parole violation and was returned to the Utah State Prison to serve a year behind bars.

In February, prosecutors charged Fotu with third-degree felony counts of aggravated assault and retaliation against a witness, victim or informant for an alleged run-in with the manager of Colonial Village Motel, 1530 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Prosecutors say Fotu pulled a gun on the manager and threatened to shoot him.

Fotu was arrested and booked into jail, but bailed out on Feb. 11 — one day before the Midvale shootings. Hoyal said he anticipated that Fotu would be booked into jail, either in connection with the Midvale murders or on outstanding warrants unrelated to that case.

jdobner@sltrib.com