One man has admitted his involvement in the shooting death of an American Fork woman, according to police.

Joshua M. Binkerd, 22, told police he ordered 19-year-old Christopher T. Alvey, 19, to shoot Ashley Sparks. The 21-year-old woman was found at Jordanelle Reservoir on Friday with four gunshot wounds. Sparks was airlifted to a Salt Lake area hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Binkerd and Alvey are both booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of aggravated murder.

Sparks’s mother, Pamela Larsen, told KSL that her daughter had been arrested for theft that involved Binkerd and Alvey but that she was working with authorities to make things right.

Larsen told the television station that her daughter was trying to help turn the two men in and get evidence against them. They became aware of that and “her life ended because of that.”

Sparks had no identification on her when she was found, but a tip line quickly resulted in useful information, said Deena Loyola, spokeswoman for Utah State Parks.

The victim was identified and two suspects were subsequently identified as well. They were arrested early Sunday.

Sparks was shot four times, including once in the abdomen and again in the leg. Bullet casings were found at the scene, making it likely she was shot at the park, Loyola said.

The gun used is likely a 9mm pistol that witnesses tell police Alvey carries “on his person at all times,” according to a probable cause statement.

The parks are closed to campers this time of year, though they do draw fishers and others who watch wildlife. Sparks, Binkerd and Alvey arrived by vehicle, though it’s unknown if they came together.

More information is expected to be released this afternoon.

Related

• Second Jordanelle shooting suspect charged with murder