UTAH

Father reportedly kills 18-year-old son in Riverton home after ‘accidental’ shooting

Jun 17, 2025, 5:39 PM | Updated: Jun 18, 2025, 2:31 pm

Riverton Police Department cruisers are pictured in Riverton...

Riverton Police Department cruisers are pictured in Riverton. (Annie Barker/Deseret News)

(Annie Barker/Deseret News)

RIVERTON — An 18-year-old died from injuries he received after he was seemingly shot by accident by his 46-year-old father, according to Riverton police.

Spokesman Josh Lee with Riverton police said the shooting happened at approximately 3 p.m. in a home near 13800 South and Kessler Peake Drive, just west of Mountain View Corridor. Police said the young man was in the family’s living room with his father when a Glock handgun discharged, striking him.

Lee said that medical personnel were called and tried to save the teen. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

“Riverton is a quiet community. We’re very family-centric. We’re growing like crazy. But something like this doesn’t happen — but it did happen today,” Lee said. “It’s just a good reminder to everybody to be careful, and that accidental shootings, unfortunately, are a part of real life.”

Other: Police investigating role of ‘peacekeepers’ in fatal shooting at Salt Lake protest

Police said the father was taken in for questioning at the police station and is cooperating with the investigation.

The street was cordoned off for several hours as investigators processed the scene. Neighbors described the area as peaceful and close-knit, noting that the family has lived there for a couple of years. Many believe the victim was the family’s oldest child.


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Father reportedly kills 18-year-old son in Riverton home after ‘accidental’ shooting