West Point community mourns 71-year-old veteran shot and killed on his front porch

WEST POINT — A West Point neighborhood is reeling after a 71‑year‑old military veteran was shot and killed in broad daylight on Saturday evening, prompting an urgent search for a maroon Honda Civic seen speeding away from the scene.

James Randell “Randy” Witten, a retired Air Force and Army veteran, was gunned down in front of his home near 2000 West and 200 North, according to the Davis County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies, who arrived around 6:25 p.m., found Witten deceased on his front porch.

According to a witness who asked to remain anonymous, Witten was heading into his home after taking out the trash.

Witten and his wife of 32 years, also an Air Force veteran, had recently returned from a cross‑country trip.

“They’re just trying to enjoy their best life retiring,” said neighbor Hannah, who requested that her last name not be released out of concern for her safety. “So for someone to come and take that away from them is heartbreaking.”

Witnesses describe a violent attack

Multiple neighbors, including Hannah, reported hearing gunshots. She heard 10-15 shots and was among the first to reach Witten after the shooting.

Hannah described seeing a red car speeding away before turning onto 300 North.

“At one point, I heard (Witten’s wife) yell, ‘Somebody please tell me what’s going on,’ and I’ll never forget that,” she said. “Just the way she said it, her tone and everything, it was so traumatic.”

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office did not release a suspect description. However, witnesses told KSL that a red Honda Civic pulled up to the home before a young male suspect got out and rushed toward Witten while firing.

The anonymous witness described the shooter as having light olive skin and wearing dark clothing, a black hoodie, a ski mask and dark sunglasses. After the shooting, he returned to the vehicle, which sped away. A second suspect, believed to be the driver, was also dressed in dark clothing.

“It was kind of seeming like it was a targeted kind of incident,” Hannah said. “It wasn’t like a drive‑by or anything like that for sure.”

The car was last seen traveling northbound on 2000 West before turning east onto 300 North.

 

Community in shock

Neighbors said the area is busy and they’ve seen traffic accidents — but not violence of this kind.

“It’s very sad to see that somebody would even think of harming somebody, let alone a vet,” Hannah said. “It’s super heartbreaking to think about.”

On Sunday, several neighbors were seen stopping by the Witten’s home to offer their condolences and drop off flowers and food. Multiple neighbors described Witten as friendly and active in volunteer work and his church community.

No ongoing threat to the public

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office said investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community. However, they are urging anyone who spots the suspect vehicle or has information about the shooting to call deputies.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”