American Scene

UTAH

Suspects arrested in 2 killings, a shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Two suspects were arrested in Nevada on Tuesday in the killing of an elderly Utah couple and the shooting of a woman outside a Nevada casino, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Jim Phelps said.

The marshal told the Associated Press that Logan Welles McFarland, 24, and Angela Atwood were found Tuesday afternoon walking in a desolate area in Nevada near Interstate 80 about 35 miles west of the Utah border, not far from where they allegedly evaded police in a high-speed chase Saturday.

The marshal said the couple didn’t resist and were taken into custody as suspects in both the killings and the shooting of a woman during a botched carjacking in Nevada. Federal marshals, Elko County sheriff’s deputies and West Wendover police made the arrest about 12:30 p.m. a few miles south of Oasis, Nev., said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Stewart.

Earlier Tuesday, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Mr. McFarland in the burglary of the Utah couple’s Mount Pleasant home. He has since been charged.

Neither suspect has been charged in the killings, carjacking or shooting of the West Wendover woman, who is recovering at a Salt Lake City hospital.

CONNECTICUT

Fatal-fire embers removed from fireplace for Santa

NEW HAVEN — Smoldering embers blamed for a Christmas morning house fire that killed three girls and their grandparents had been taken out of a fireplace so the children would not worry about Santa Claus, two officials said Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.

Two officials briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press the ashes were removed out of concerns for burning Santa as he came down the chimney.

Authorities say embers in a bag of discarded ashes started the blaze in Stamford that killed 10-year-old Lilly and 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger and their grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson.

The girls’ mother, Madonna Badger, escaped the fire along with a friend, Michael Borcina. Mr. Borcina and Ms. Badger were treated at a local hospital and released. Fire officials have said Mr. Borcina is believed to have placed the ashes in or outside an entryway, near the trash.

A funeral service will be held Thursday in New York City for the girls.

ARKANSAS

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