WEST POINT, Utah - Davis County deputies arrested a 15-year-old from West Point after they say he killed his two younger brothers.
It happened Wednesday night at 120 North 1660 West in West Point. Davis County investigators say the victims, two boys ages 4 and 10, were stabbed to death.
"It's so unfathomable that something like this could happen," said next door neighbor Ken Hall.
Hall watched as a memorial with cards, flowers, balloons and teddy bears grew outside the West Point home. Hall's children used to play with the victims.
"I've known these kids since they moved in. I can't imagine what their mother is going through," Hall said.
Emotions ran high as investigators removed the boys' bodies Thursday morning. Their 15-year-old brother, who's now a suspect, was watching them Wednesday while their mother was at a dance recital with three other children.
When the mother returned Wednesday night, she found the 4 year-old dead, then cops discovered the 10 year-old's body on the lower floor of the house.
"It's an un-Godly feeling to feel that, I can't imagine even if it's not [your kids] so to be in her shoes, I don't know what I would've done," said neighbor Ann Durrwachter.
After the younger boys' deaths, the 15-year-old went missing.
Late Wednesday night, Layton Police found him walking about five miles from the home. Cops took him to the hospital for minor injuries, then arrested him. The teen is now in a juvenile detention facility in Farmington.
Davis County Sheriff Todd Richardson says deputies found evidence that connects the teen to the crime scene.
"He didn't have any weapons on him but we did find trace evidence of blood on his person," Richardson said.
Police also say they've recovered two murder weapons but they don't think the crime was premeditated, leaving neighbors to wonder, did the teen snap?
"It's hard to take in when it comes to kids, it hasn't really set in," said neighbor Mitchell Gordon.
The suspect is one of two biological children. There are four other adopted children in the family, including the victims. Police haven't said if that relationship played a role in the deaths but it's added to questions neighbors have.
The teen suspect is an honors student at West Point Junior High. Neighbors say he was well-behaved and well-mannered.
"Knowing the older son, you could never imagine him doing something like this," said Ken Hall.
The kids' father works with the Air Force and is stationed in Alabama. He's now on his way back to Utah as investigators continue to gather evidence. The Davis County Attorney may soon be screening the case, deciding whether to file charges.
Related story:
Sheriff: West Point boys stabbed to death, brother in custody
