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.
We knew their family. Our whole neighbourhood is so close, said another neighbour who lives around the corner. She asked the BBC not use her name due to the heated political and online discussion Mr Kirk's murder has prompted.
The woman recalled Tyler Robinson as a pretty quiet kid. She remarked on his mother being an amazing parent and his father a hard worker, with both occasionally attending a nearby Mormon church.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox remarked on the family's character, calling their upbringing normal and reiterating that it is shocking how such a tragedy could emerge from a good family.
Tyler Robinson's arrest came after a series of police actions in St George, where he reportedly lived in a townhouse complex. Upon analyzing his online communications, authorities discovered potential evidence connecting him to the murder, which occurred as Kirk addressed a group of students.
The community's disbelief is palpable as they grapple with the reality that someone they knew could be involved in such politically motivated violence. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches, questioning how ideals can lead to tragedy in peaceful neighborhoods.
