Three arrested in Payson in connection with double homicide in Apache Junction

Payson Police, Gila County Sheriff's deputies and US Marshals apprehend two men and a woman in Payson

Three Rim Country residents were arrested in connection with a double homicide that occured in Apache Junction Monday night.

Nikki Small, 30, and Timothey Bunting, Jr., 30 of Payson, and Kylan Rubio, 25, of Strawberry were arrested Tuesday night in Payson by a joint task force comprised of Payson Police, Gila County Sheriffs and US Marshals.

Apache Junction Police found the bodies of two men, one reported to be in his 20's the other, in his 40's, after neighbors in a trailer park near Superstition Springs and Gold reported hearing gunshots. The victims had been shot multiple times in what may have been a shootout at the trailer park. Three people were reported to be seen leaving the area.

Rubio was charged with 2nd degree murder and conspiracy to possess/distribute narcotics, and firearm violations. Small and Bunting were charged with facilitation of 2nd degree murder and conspiracy to possess/distribute narcotics. All three were booked into the Gila County Jail.