Three teens arrested in connection to the shooting death of trans 21-year-old during gun purchase turned robbery in Utah: police

Three teenagers were arrested this week in connection to the shooting death of 21-year-old trans-identified female Alexzia Franco, who also went by Alex, after police found Franco's body in a "remote desert area in Utah County." 

According to KUTV, investigators believe the victim was attempting to purchase a firearm from the juveniles, which turned into a robbery gone wrong. They revealed that they don't believe the death was the result of a hate crime, nor gang or drug related. 

Two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old were arrested in connection with the crime and booked into Salt Lake Valley Detention Center on multiple felony charges.  

Franco's girlfriend, Allysa Henry, told the outlet that Franco was last seen on Sunday chatting with some people who were "friends of friends" who were supposed to give them a ride to the park. She said she heard a gunshot inside the vehicle, just before the group sped off. 

"I started to track his phone, and it got to the end of the street before it just stopped tracking it,” she added. 

Authorities treated the case as an abduction until Franco's body was found on Tuesday. "Detectives believe they have arrested the person responsible for Franco’s shooting, but they are still actively working on contacting others who may have been present during the homicide," Taylorsville Police said in a press release. 

Two of the teens were arrested on the same day, while the third was on Thursday. All three were booked into the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center and charged with multiple felony charges related to the killing. 

A candlelight vigil in Kearns was hosted for the 21-year-old's memory. Franco's grandmother Shellie Kilpatrick told the outlet, "We're going to find answers."