UTAH

17-year-old fatally shot in Kearns High School parking lot

May 18, 2025, 11:38 AM | Updated: May 19, 2025, 5:44 pm

A Unified Police Department patrol car. crash...

FILE - A Unified Police Department patrol car. (Unified Police)

(Unified Police)

SALT LAKE CITY – Police have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with a murder and robbery in the parking lot of Kearns High School on Sunday morning.

Brandon Ray Hollins, age 18, was arrested on suspicion of murder and aggravated robbery. Lt. Melody Cutler with the Unified Police Department described the incident as a “robbery gone bad.”

Cutler said at approximately 1:49 a.m., Hollins was “selling a product” in the school’s parking lot when another vehicle with four passengers arrived.

Two people got out of the vehicle with guns, Cutler said. Then Hollins went to the trunk of his car to retrieve a gun.

One of the people with guns reportedly went around the side of Hollins’ car and pointed the gun at him.

Police said Hollins began to run away and fire shots, hitting a 17-year-old.

Cutler said the 17-year-old was taken to a hospital, where they died from their injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Police said Hollins flagged down officers once down the street after the shooting, and was cooperative with police.

Police said they are investigating the shooting as a homicide.


This story may be updated.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Firefighters respond to an apartment fire at 942 E. North Union Avenue, near Hillcrest High School ...

Eric Cabrera

North Union resident says deposit dispute changed after residents pushed back following Midvale fire

A week after fire forced hundreds of residents from the North Union Apartments in Midvale, one resident said he's faced challenges involving his belongings, whether to sign paperwork, and what happens next.

10 hours ago

General Relief Society Pres. Camille N. Johnson, 4th from left, joins a panel discussion featuring ...

Holly Richardson, host, KSL Inside Sources

Church of Jesus Christ announces $65 million donation to women/child consortia

General Relief Society Pres. Camille N. Johnson announced an additional $65 million from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint to continue the work of the Caring for Women and Children Initiative Consortia.

11 hours ago

The debate over artificial intelligence is continuing as Rep. Celeste Maloy waded into the fray wit...

Eva Terry, Deseret News

Can we keep AI from risking national security?

Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy has entered the AI regulatory battle, as many Americans continue to ask who wields ultimate power: the government or artificial intelligence.

14 hours ago

Fruit and vegetables from local farmers are pictured at Hello!Bulk Markets in Salt Lake City on Mon...

Shelby Lofton, KSL

Utah farmers urge consumers to buy local fruit after freeze slashes harvest

A warm winter and damaging April freeze wiped out much of Utah's fruit crop this year, leaving farmers with a greater need for consumer support.

14 hours ago

A helicopter carrying two people crashed near a massive wildfire burning in central Utah on Friday,...

Carter Williams, KSL

Helicopter with 2 on board crashes near Widemouth 2 Fire

A helicopter carrying two people crashed near a massive wildfire burning in central Utah on Friday, federal aviation officials confirmed.

15 hours ago

Andrew was slow to gain weight early on, which was one of the reasons his mom sought support from l...

Emma Benson, KSL

‘It’s worth asking for help’: Mom shares how lactation support helped amid breastfeeding challenges

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and health experts want parents to know that while lactation is often described as natural, it doesn't always come easily.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this spo...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.

How Harper Clinic's IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah....

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

As demand for mental health care continues to rise across Utah County, Orem's Harper Clinic says it is trying to close the gap with a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, manag...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic's TMS Therapy can help.

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

17-year-old fatally shot in Kearns High School parking lot