Springville community recovers after 2 fatal shootings in a week


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SPRINGVILLE – Tragedy struck the small city of Springville again as police investigated a deadly second shooting in a matter of days.

The city does not even average one homicide per year, and now they could be looking at two within less than four days.

"It's so unusual for Springville. While you may hear about those kinds things in larger cities, it's just very uncharacteristic of Springville," said Mayor Matt Packard.

For this small town, it's adding salt to an open wound. Saturday evening, just before 7 p.m., a 42-year-old man was found dead on his front porch, shot in the chest and head. Making this the second shooting just days apart.

The tight-knit Springville community is still grief-stricken from the loss of 17-year-old Lily Conroy, who was shot Wednesday at Hobble Creek Park in what police call an apparent murder-suicide involving her ex-boyfriend.

"It is very emotional for our officers," said Springville Police Chief Lance Haight.

Two unrelated tragic scenes in one week. It's more than some officers have seen throughout their entire careers in Springville.

"It's a tragic scene, one that is not easy to get out of your mind, but it's a noble job that our officers do. They respond with great compassion and professionalism, and they work hard to find answers to what is happening," Haight said.

And with only 33 officers in the department, one particular officer happened to be the first on the scene of both shootings.

"It is difficult for them, so they rely on support from the community and from their families," Haight said. "There have been tremendous acts of service and compassion."

And as first responders cope with what they've seen, they have been overwhelmed with the support from this community. Family, friends, and neighbors come together to bring the light into the darkness.

"They bond together when there are situations like this, and it's a great reflection of the kind of people we have in the community," Packard said.

Lily remains on life support as they work to donate her organs.

As for Saturday's incident, the alleged shooter, 25-year-old Hunter Lamoreaux, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of murder and felony discharge of a firearm.

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Kiersten Nunez

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