Washington, Utah, located just south-west of Zion National Park, is surrounded by cinematic, flat-topped mountains and has long been a hub for exploring the natural wonders of the American west.
Yet, the last 48 hours have left residents wondering how the portal to the most beautiful parts of the country may have produced one of its ugliest acts of political violence in years.
Tyler Robinson, the man authorities accused of killing the conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this week, resided in the area, according to police. He is now in custody after his father apparently persuaded him to surrender.
Local and federal law enforcement officers descended on typically quiet blocks in Washington and nearby St George, banging on doors and closing off streets as they carried out a high-stakes investigation.
Outside the Robinson family home in Washington, neighbours expressed shock that a fellow resident could have committed such an attack.
It shakes up a community because you don't expect it, said Addi Jacobson, 20, who recently moved into her grandmother's house in the neighbourhood.
Ms. Jacobson said she did not personally know the Robinson family, but her grandmother did. She just was saying that she thinks that, from what she's seen and what she knows, they're a great family, just regular citizens, Ms Jacobson said. She used the words, 'very patriotic people'.
Washington, Utah Governor Spencer Cox remarked on the situation: This is a good family... a normal childhood. All of those things that, that you would hope would never lead to something like this. And sadly, it did.
On September 10, Charlie Kirk was shot in front of hundreds of students and observers, pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital. The shocking nature of this political violence has sent ripples through the community, leaving residents questioning how such an event could occur among them.
According to reports, police detected messages potentially linked to Mr. Robinson's actions and are preparing formal charges. The entire nation, alongside the local community, watches as further developments unfold.
