WASHINGTON COUNTY – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office released additional information surrounding 17-year-old Joshua Canfield, charged with the murder of 58-year-old Geraldine Bommerito, of Toquerville.
Sheriff’s deputies were in Toquerville early Wednesday morning investigating a residential burglary in which two firearms and collectable coins had been stolen, according to a probable cause statement released by the Sheriff’s Office. Canfield was subsequently identified as a possible suspect in the burglary.
“Canfield was later seen at a convenience store in Washington City where he made a purchase using coins consistent with those taken in the burglary,” the report stated. Witnesses contacted police and supplied a description of the vehicle Canfield was driving, as well as its license plate number.
Bommerito was identified as the owner of the vehicle. Deputies found her dead in her home from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The vehicle believed to belong to Bommerito was also near Springdale. The vehicle had been completely torched, according to a press release.
Canfield was initially listed as a person of interest in the case, then named a suspect as the investigation progressed. Detectives found Canfield in Springdale. According to the statement, he had two firearms in his possession at the time of his arrest “which were consistent with evidence located at the homicide scene.”
Canfield was described as being “belligerent and combative” with officers upon initial contact with the detectives. He was booked into Washington County’s Purgatory Correctional Facility on Saturday after receiving medical clearance.
He is being held at Washington County’s Purgatory Correctional Facility. Canfield will be held in segregation from the general populace until he turns 18 on March 28.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office could file additional charges against Canfield as the case is reviewed. Canfield is being charged as an adult as per Utah Code, which allows authorities to charge a teen as an adult in cases of murder and aggravated murder.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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- Homicide victim’s name released, juvenile named as suspect
- Juvenile taken into custody in Toquerville homicide investigation
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What’s the deal with the neck brace and major cut on his throat ?
Yeah! Seriously, how are they gonna show a picture like that and not tell us what happened?
According to KSL they were self inflicted.
what on earth has this world come to???? where was this kids parents??? This is truly sad and I feel for that poor woman and her family.
I know the kid and his parents and the parents are incredible loving people. Nikki you have no right to place judgment on Joshs family when you dont know them at all. (I am not a family member) Thats the worst thing about southern utah is everyone blames the family for a persons mistakes. how bout we judge your parents based on every mistake you have ever made!!! both of these families are suffering!!!
Where are his parents? You must be kidding? Are they supposed to hold his hand every moment of the day? This is the most illogical argument that could have been made. Who knows, maybe if his parents were around, they may have met a similar fate.
Why doesn’t St. George news report the whole story? It’s very annoying…
They don’t tell the whole story probably because even though he is going to be tried as an adult, he is still a minor and many details on him and the case will not be released to the public now, if ever. Besides, it is St. George news, not the NY Times. Don’t expect the world from a small town USA news source. You will probably find out more by stepping foot into town than you will get from any local newspaper.
I happen to know a good chunk of his family, and they are all great people. I have met Josh a couple times and he is a nice kid. He just had a bad day and appears to have made some bad choices that will affect him for the remainder of him life. It is an unfortunate circumstance for all parties involved.
His family is a bunch of heartless judgmental Mormons who absolutely was never there for him. This young man was hurt and scared. I know him and I know what he has gone thru. All you stupid people love to put your two cents in by acting like you know. Shut … up.
Ed. ellipsis.
The cut on his kneck is his attempt of suicide…Learn to Read.