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Grandparents found dead after home fire, grandson arrested

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Posted at 11:45 AM, Apr 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-28 17:32:21-04

CLAYPOOL, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities in east-central Arizona say an 18-year-old man is accused of killing his grandparents and setting their home on fire.

The Gila County Sheriff's Office identified the victims as 67-year-old Jose Oropeza and 70-year-old Katherine Oropeza and the arrested grandson as 18-year-old Abram Oropeza.

The Sheriff's Office says the victims were apparently shot and that their bodies were found Monday in their Claypool residence following a fire.

The office says the grandson was arrested on suspicion of two counts each of of first-degree murder, arson of an occupied structure and tampering with physical evidence.

Undersheriff Mike Johnson told The Associated Press that investigators weren't immediately able to determine a possible motive.