A Utah teen, Kaylee Dutton, was tragically shot and killed after two men allegedly chased her down in her truck and opened fire. The suspects, Aldric Felipe, 21; Ethan Galloway, 23; Michael Hess-Witucki, 23; and Matthew Sorber-Petrie, 22, appeared in court shortly after their arrest. The shooting occurred on January 17, 2025, when the men allegedly followed Dutton and her 18-year-old friend from an apartment complex.
The incident began when both the suspects and the victims were in the complex at the same time for unrelated reasons. Surveillance footage and witness statements corroborated the presence of the suspects’ black truck in the area. According to police, Hess-Witucki and Galloway admitted to the crime during their interviews. Hess-Witucki was allegedly driving the truck, while Galloway fired the fatal shots from the passenger seat.
The suspects claimed they were chasing Dutton’s vehicle because they believed the occupants were stalking them. Galloway and Hess-Witucki both acknowledged their involvement in the murder during police questioning, with Galloway expressing remorse by writing a letter to Dutton’s parents apologizing for his actions. Sorber-Petrie, who was not directly involved in the shooting but remained at the residence with Felipe, allegedly provided the gun to the other two men, knowing they intended to pursue Dutton.
The shooting occurred after the suspects reportedly followed Dutton’s truck for some time. As they pursued her, they opened fire, shooting at her 12 times. The attack ended with Dutton’s death, leaving her family devastated. The suspects are facing charges of murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and possession of a controlled substance.
Dutton’s parents spoke publicly about their daughter, with her father, Waylon Dutton, sharing the heartbreaking final words he said to Kaylee. He recalled, “She came in. Her mom said, ‘Where are you going now, Kaylee?’ She said, ‘I don’t know. We’re going to go find something.’ My last words to her were, ‘Just be careful.’”
The case has sparked outrage in the community, as the senseless violence has left a family mourning the loss of their young daughter. The suspects, who are being held without bail, are awaiting further legal proceedings. The motive behind the shooting, as explained by the suspects, centers around their belief that Dutton and her friend were stalking them. However, the details surrounding the events remain under investigation, and authorities are working to piece together the full story.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the justification for the deadly pursuit and the decision to resort to such extreme violence. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of escalating conflicts and the consequences of impulsive decisions. The community mourns the loss of a young life, and Dutton’s family is left grappling with the senseless nature of her death.
