facebook-pixel

Teenager whose brother died in shooting initially described as accidental is arrested

The 15-year-old stepbrother of a Kearns teenager killed in what was called an accidental shotgun blast on Monday has been taken into custody.

“An arrest has been made,” said Det. Kevin Mallory with Unified Police. “Because he is a juvenile, that's all I can tell you.”

On Monday morning, police were called to a home near 5000 West and 5400 South, where they found a 16-year-old boy dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

“It looks like a tragic accident. He and his brother were playing with a shotgun,” a police spokeswoman said at the time.

The victim’s name has not been released.

Correction: Earlier versions of this story and a previous story misstated the age of the teenage boy and his relationship to the 16-year-old victim, based on incorrect information provided by police.


Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.