2 men arrested in Salt Lake slaying

They were discovered as passengers during a routine traffic stop

By Pat Reavy

Deseret Morning News

All of the suspects wanted in connection with the shooting death of a pregnant woman at a Salt Lake motel have now been captured.

Members of the Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit arrested Lawrence Valdez, 24, and his half-brother Robert Collins, 18, Monday night.

The gang unit was conducting a follow up investigation about 11:30 p.m. on the murder of Darla Marie Woundedhead when one agent spotted a person in the passenger seat of a vehicle that looked like one of the suspects, Salt Lake City police detective Robin Snyder said.

Officers pulled over the vehicle for a routine traffic violation near 800 North and 1000 West.

They then discovered that both Collins and Valdez were passengers in the vehicle. The men were arrested without incident, she said.

The driver, apparently unaware his passengers had warrants out for their arrests, was questioned and released.

The men were two of four suspects charged in 3rd District Court with first-degree felony criminal homicide and two counts of aggravated robbery.

Woundedhead was shot in the chest Aug. 18 in the doorway of a room at the Dream Inn motel, 1865 W. North Temple. She died shortly after arriving at LDS Hospital, where doctors were able to deliver her baby approximately two months early by emergency C-section.

The state has taken temporary custody of the infant girl. She was born with cocaine, opiates and barbiturates in her bloodstream and is suffering from probable brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The hospital lists her in extremely critical condition.

A man has come forward claiming to be the father of the child, but the claim has not yet been validated. He has not yet taken advantage of an offer from the Department of Child and Family Services to pay for a paternity test, said spokeswoman Carol Sisco.

A Tuesday hearing is scheduled to update 3rd District Juvenile Judge Andrew Valdez as to the baby's condition and custody, including talks with the Oglala-Sioux tribe, which may be entitled to custody of the child because of Woundedhead's membership in the South Dakota tribe.

Kerri Armant, 32, and 18-year-old Andrea Martinez were arrested earlier in connection with the homicide.

Armant originally went to the Dream Inn to purchase drugs, according to court records. When she was refused sale because she had no money, Armant allegedly went out of the room and told the others who were waiting outside to "shoot them all," court documents state.

Woundedhead was in the room with at least eight others.

Police have not commented on who they believe was the alleged gunman.