Code Enforcement Officer Shot, Killed Outside West Valley Home

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A homeowner shot and killed a West Valley City code enforcement officer and set fire to a city truck and a neighbor’s house, police said.

The woman killed was identified as 52-year-old Jill Robinson. She had worked in the city’s code enforcement office for more than a decade, said city spokesperson Sam Johnson.

“She was a terrific woman who worked hard and made our city proud,” Johnson said.

UPDATE: West Valley City deputy police chief Matt Elson says code enforcement officer was shot and killed today. Her vehicle was also burned. Suspect was arrested. @KSL5TV @KSLcom @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/PGQBhOuygR

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) August 9, 2018

Police said Robinson showed up at the home located at 4102 Wendy Avenue just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday for what they called a routine, follow-up visit, according to Deputy Police Chief Matt Elson with the West Valley City Police Department.

“I believe there is a history of code enforcement action at that house,” Elson said. “Again, I don’t know exactly what that is, or what our code enforcement officer’s previous interactions with the suspect were.”

BREAKING: Police are responding to reports of shots fired at a burning home near 4100 Wendy Ave. in West Valley City. Neighbors report seeing explosions at the home. (Video: Jeff Peterson) LIVE REPORT on @KSL5TV News at Noon. @KSLcom @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/q0N0verj0r

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) August 9, 2018

The suspect, Kevin Wayne Billings, 64, was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony; aggravated murder, also a first-degree felony; and arson, a second-degree felony, according to a tweet from the West Valley Police Department. Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department were handling the homicide investigation.

Eyewitnesses describe a confusing and chaotic scene that involved the fatal shooting and several fires.

 

“I noticed a utility truck, a white utility truck, that was over there and it was burning,” said neighbor Brittan Keane, who left work and came to the area when he saw the smoke.

“Then I see a guy with a walker and a blue shirt,” Keane went on to say. “He comes walking out and when he came walking out he came across and walked behind the truck and I was like, ‘He’s going to get burned. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh.’’’

Keane said the man then pulled out a gun and shot a woman.

“The neighbors were yelling, ‘He just shot that lady! He just shot that lady!’” Keane said.

CONFIRMED: One person is dead at scene of a house fire in West Valley City. Police also confirm that shots were fired. @KSL5TV @kslnewsradio @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/9WJkce1Pe4

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) August 9, 2018

Nate Reese lives down the street and witnessed the fires, which included the city’s code enforcement truck and a separate fire set at the home next door.

“He walked off and went to go get gasoline, poured gasoline on the truck and on the house and he lit it up and walked it back and just watched it,” said Reese.

Cell phone video of the fires showed debris flying in the air, thick smoke and flames shooting from the roof.

“We have a two-story structure, in addition to some structures outside of this house—some outbuildings—and a car that have all burned in a fire,” said police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku. “It appears at this time that the house is a total loss.”