UTAH

Taylorsville residents grieve missing man shot over the weekend

Mar 19, 2024, 11:00 PM | Updated: Mar 20, 2024, 11:43 am

Taylorsville residents come together to grieve Alex Franco, who was shot over the weekend....

Taylorsville residents come together to grieve Alex Franco, who was shot over the weekend. (Ray Boone, KSL TV)

(Ray Boone, KSL TV)

TAYLORSVILLE — The community of Taylorsville is grieving the tragic death of 21-year-old Alex Franco, who was shot by a teenager over the weekend. Family and friends are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a young man described as an outdoor enthusiast, animal lover, and someone with a heart of gold.

It happened Sunday afternoon in Franco’s front yard. According to a witness, he was meeting with the three teens when the situation turned violent.

His girlfriend, who was present at the time, recounts the horrifying moment when the shots rang out, leaving Franco mortally wounded as the assailants fled the scene.

Speaking about her brother, Nicole Tolman tells KSLTV, “Alex was a sweet kid, he had the biggest heart. He would sacrifice anything for anybody.”

Related Reading: Taylorsville man believed to have been abducted found dead, two teens arrested

Kaylie Sage, a lifelong friend of the family, echoes these sentiments, adding, “There’s not one thing that you can pinpoint that you’ll miss about him. It’s everything.”

“Just the one that comes in the room and just brightens up the whole place,” says Shellie Kilpatrick, Franco’s grandmother, at a candlelight vigil.

Lt. Aaron Cheshire of the Taylorsville Police Department says Franco willingly entered the car before the fatal encounter occurred. Investigators found Franco’s body in the desert west of Eagle Mountain. It appears he died from a single gunshot wound.

Read more from KSL TV’s Debbie Worthen here. 

We want to hear from you.

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

Utah

A West Haven house fire killed one person on Feb. 11...

Mariah Maynes and Brian Carlson

West Haven house fire kills 1 person

One person is dead following a house fire in West Haven, Utah.

8 hours ago

Migrating swans fly in a Utah waterfowl management area. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)...

Mariah Maynes

Migrating swans will soon soar through Utah, here are 3 places you can see them

As warmer weather approaches, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recommends three areas to view migrating swans.

10 hours ago

Officials from the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District said integrating more water from groundwa...

Heather Peterson

Chlorine smell and taste still plaguing Weber Basin water users

Two weekends ago, the rain that hit the frozen Wasatch Back brought naturally-occurring organic materials into the Weber Basin Watershed.

11 hours ago

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe will be retiring after the 2024-25 athletics season....

Mitch Harper, KSL Sports

BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe to retire after 2024-25 season

PROVO, Utah – It’s the end of an era for BYU athletics as Tom Holmoe is set to retire after the 2024-25 season. Holmoe announced the decision on Tuesday. The former BYU football defensive back has been BYU’s athletic director for 20 years. BYU’s athletic season concludes this May. Breaking: BYU announces that AD Tom Holmoe […]

12 hours ago

Police lights in Salt Lake City....

Mariah Maynes

Multi-vehicle crash caused heavy delays in Lehi

A multi-vehicle car crash is causing significant delays on I-15 southbound in Lehi.

12 hours ago

Huntsville, in Weber County, Utah, is pictured on Oct. 6, 2021. A delivery driver died Tuesday, a d...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Officials identify delivery driver killed after being crushed by vehicle near Huntsville

The woman worked for a third-party company contracting with the Postal Service and was using her own vehicle, Weber County officials said.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Taylorsville residents grieve missing man shot over the weekend