Update: Homicide Victims killed by Son in Utah Washington County Attorney’s Office Will Not Seek Death Penalty
Police have released further information regarding the double homicide we reported on June 19 where suspect, Collin Bailey, was located and arrested.
Police advised that the suspect, Collin Bailey is a transgender and would like to be identified as female and also uses the name Mia Bailey. Police allege that Collin was also going to kill his brother.
Police said on June 18, 2024, Collin’s brother heard gunshots and fled the house at 1039 E. Chinook Drive in Washington Utah and went to a neighbor’s house and called 911. When police arrived, they found Collin Bailey’s parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey has been killed of apparent gunshot wounds. After investigating police suspected Collin Bailey as the shooter. Collin fled in his yellow Kia Soul. Later, the St. Geroge Police Department advised the Kia was observed in the area of Quarry Ridge and River Road and was reportedly going through a car wash.
The St. George Police sent out a notification to the residents alerting them of the search and asked that the residents shelter in place overnight while they searched with no success in locating Collin or the vehicle. There was a lot of thick shrubbery and complete darkness which caused difficulties in the search said Lt. Kory Klotz with the St. George Police.
After daylight, the yellow Kia was observed by several residents who alerted police. Several police agencies responded and quickly located Collin Bailey. Police began negotiating with him. He started to comply with Police commands by setting down the gun, and then walked toward the Officers who then was able to take him into custody. The gun was taken into evidence.
Police advised Collin admitted to shooting and killing his parents. He told Officers that he did not have any remorse for his actions and would not do anything different. Collin said to Officers “I would do it again. I hate them.” Collin admitted to shooting at his brother. Collin further said after he shot and killed his parents, he went downstairs to find his brother. He said his brother and his brother’s wife were locked and hiding in a room. Collin advised he had shot once through the locked door. Collin did say he did not intend to kill his brother that day but did say to Police that he “would not have been sad had the gunshot killed him.”
Collin said to Police that he was having problems with his parents and brother, and he was not supposed to be at the house. Collin said he entered through the unlocked front door and immediately started shooting at his parents. Collin admitted that he had planned on killing his parents ahead of time and that was his intent that day. Collin said he shot his parents multiple times and went to their bodies to “make sure they were dead.”
A nearby neighbor’s security camera caught Collin Bailey arriving and then entering his parents’ house at the day and time of the shooting.
Washington County Attorney General’s Office Is Not Seeking the Death Penalty
According to Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke. they will not seek the death penalty against Collin Bailey. They charged Collin Bailey with nine first-degree felonies and one third-degree felony. The charges include two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, seven counts of felony discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated burglary.
Update June 19, 2024: Homicide Suspect in Custody in Washington City Utah
On June 19, 2024, around 10:00 A.M. Eastern time, the suspect from a homicide on June 18th, Collin Bailey, has been located and arrested. The suspect was located in St. George, Utah. Police negotiators was able to get Collin to surrender. St. George residents were ordered to shelter-in-place while police searched for the suspect. The weapon police say is involved with the homicide and Collin’s Kia Sol is being processed. Police have not released the motive or any other details pending this ongoing investigation. Collin was charged with suspicion of two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, and several counts of felony discharge of a firearm.
Original Report: June 18, 2024
At around 9:00 P.M. Eastern time, on the June 18, 911 calls of shots fired at 1039 E. Chinook Drive were received and the Washington City Police in Utah was dispatched to investigate. After the arrival of police, they entered the front door to find two adults who were on the ground. One was a man and the other a woman and both had apparent gunshot wounds. Life savings efforts by police were unsuccessful for both victims. Police also searched the residence, and no suspect or other victims were found.
After an investigation, the police identified a suspect as Collin Troy Bailey. Police advised Collin is a transgender male and is transforming to a female. Collin also uses the name of Mia Bailey. Collin is a white male 5 foot 10 inches tall and is 130 pounds with brown hair. He does wear wigs and people say he uses different hairstyles. He drives a yellow Kia Sol with Utah license plate U069GF.
Collin is considered armed and dangerous. If you located Collin or the vehicle, do not approach and call 911 or the Washington City Utah Police at 435-986-1515.
