3 arrested in Tucson Christmas Eve killing

Three people, including a 16-year-old girl, have been arrested in connection with the killing of a Tucson man on Christmas Eve, authorities say.

The arrests in the killing of Paul Clifford, 53, occurred after a police standoff Monday night near East Benson Highway and South Country Club Road, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

Arrested were Jack Upchurch, 40, Elmer Smith, 19 and Wendy Scott, 16, a news release said. All three were booked into the Pima County jail on felony charges, the department said. The Star is naming the teen due to the seriousness of the crime.

Clifford’s body was found early Dec. 24, next to a smoldering car near Redington Pass Road and San Pedro River Road.

The incident started about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday when deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity in the area of 14000 North San Pedro River Road, near Redington Pass, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department previously said in a news release.

On their way, deputies were told the call might be related to a report of a stolen vehicle.

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Once on scene, deputies found Clifford’s body near a smoldering car, near Redington Pass and San Pedro River roads, the release said.

According to Clifford’s daughter, Sabrina Vining, who posted about her father’s disappearance on Facebook, the last time her father was seen alive was about 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 23. That’s when a man knocked on Clifford’s front door and said he needed help with his car, Vining and investigators say.

Clifford left his home in Vining’s pickup truck to help the stranger.

When Clifford did not return home hours later, loved ones called police for help.

According to Vining, she was able to track the truck’s movements, which showed it going over Redington Pass to the city’s east side, where it was located by police at an apartment complex.