ST. GEORGE — While the search for a double homicide suspect continues Wednesday morning, police have lifted the shelter-in-place order but are asking residents to remain vigilant.
The search for the suspect began Tuesday evening after a man and woman were found dead in Washington City, and police said they found evidence it was a homicide, as previously reported by St. George News.
On Wednesday morning, just before 4 a.m., the St. George Police Department issued an alert to residents living in the Bloomington Hills and Fort Pierce areas, asking them to shelter in place after the suspect in the case, Collin Bailey, was last seen in the area of Quarry Ridge and River Road.
“The suspect was seen heading west through the wash,” the alert states.
Bailey, 28, reportedly goes by Mia Bailey, is a male transitioning to female, Washington City Police Lt. Kory Klotz told St. George News at the scene of the crime Tuesday night. She was last seen wearing blue skinny jeans and a light blue or white T-shirt. She is 5 feet 10 inches tall with dark hair and is considered armed and dangerous.
“We ask that those in the affected area shelter in place and call police if you see anything suspicious,” the alert reads.
Authorities said Bailey was previously seen driving a mustard-colored 2014 Kia Soul with a Utah license plate that reads “U069GF.”
Just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Tiffany Mitchell, public information officer for the St. George Police Department, posted a video on Facebook and spoke about the large police presence that many have likely seen in the area of Bloomington Hills.
While the shelter-in-place warning has been lifted, she said they are asking people in the area to remain vigilant.
“Still keep your doors locked. Be alert of your surroundings. If you see anything suspicious — and we’re talking … Little Valley, Bloomington, but also out near the airport — we’re all just asking that you don’t approach her,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said it’s important to understand that while they are lifting the shelter-in-place order at this time, it doesn’t mean the threat is gone.
“She still is considered armed and dangerous,” she said. “We believe that she’s on foot, but again, she could be in that vehicle that we’re looking for.”
Added Mitchell: “We really appreciate everybody’s patience with this. We understand that it’s a scary situation. There’s a lot of unknowns, but there’s a lot of officers out working hard to locate Mia.
Bailey surrendered to police Wednesday morning. Read the story here.
Updated 7:50 a.m. to include information from the Facebook video posted on the St. George Police Department page.
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