17-Year-Old KayLee Dutton Tragically Killed in Shooting Incident in Cedar City

This is 17-year-old KayLee Dutton, a vibrant and promising young woman whose life was tragically taken away in a horrific act of violence on Friday night, January 17, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah. KayLee’s death follows a chilling series of events, which have left her family, friends, and the entire Cedar City community devastated. According to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, KayLee was chased down in a vehicle and fatally shot in what authorities are investigating as a targeted attack.

At approximately 10:40 p.m. on that fateful night, a 911 call was placed reporting gunfire directed at a vehicle. The Iron County Sheriff’s deputies responded immediately to the distress call, rushing to the scene located at the intersection of Midvalley Road and 4300 West in Cedar City. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers were confronted with a horrific reality: a 17-year-old female driver, later identified as KayLee Dutton, had sustained gunshot wounds after being pursued by another vehicle.

KayLee had been shot while driving her vehicle, and her condition was grave. Deputies, upon realizing the severity of her injuries, immediately began life-saving efforts to try and stabilize her until medical personnel could arrive. First responders worked quickly, with medical teams preparing to transport KayLee to Cedar City Hospital for further care. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and medical staff to save her life, KayLee tragically passed away on the scene shortly after authorities arrived.

The details surrounding KayLee’s death have left the community in deep shock, as no one could have anticipated such a violent and senseless loss. The Iron County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of four individuals in connection with the shooting: Michael Hess-Witucki, Matthew Sorber-Petrie, Aldric Felipe, and Ethan Galloway. The arrests have come after a careful investigation, where authorities were able to piece together the events leading up to the fatal incident.

According to the sheriff’s office, the primary suspect, Michael Hess-Witucki, is the individual believed to have fired the shots that took KayLee’s life. Authorities confirmed that Hess-Witucki discharged a total of 12 rounds from the weapon, fatally striking the young woman. The other three individuals arrested, Matthew Sorber-Petrie, Aldric Felipe, and Ethan Galloway, are facing charges in relation to the crime, although their specific roles in the shooting are still being examined.

The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to uncover the details behind the shooting. The arrest of these four individuals has led to further questions regarding the motive behind the attack, with authorities working diligently to determine the reasons behind this tragic event. While the investigation remains active, the community’s focus is squarely on the memory of KayLee Dutton, a young woman whose life was senselessly taken from her.

KayLee’s family, along with her friends, classmates, and everyone who knew her, are now left to cope with the pain of her loss. KayLee was known for her infectious personality, her compassion toward others, and the many aspirations she held for her future. Her family has expressed their heartbreak, and while they are grateful for the community’s support, they are also committed to seeking justice for KayLee.

The family is understandably devastated by this sudden, violent tragedy. In addition to their grief, they are awaiting the outcome of the investigation and the legal proceedings against those responsible for KayLee’s death. While there is no way to undo the heartbreak caused by this incident, they are determined to honor KayLee’s memory and ensure that her story does not end with violence.

The arrest of the four suspects has brought a sense of urgency to the case, as KayLee’s family and the community await answers to the lingering questions surrounding the events of that fateful night. Law enforcement has assured the public that the investigation will continue until all the facts are known, and that justice will be pursued for KayLee.

As the Cedar City community mourns, friends and family have taken to social media and other platforms to remember the young life that was taken too soon. Tributes have poured in from all over, with many remembering KayLee as a beautiful, thoughtful, and caring individual who brought joy to the lives of everyone she encountered. Her memory will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and as the investigation into her death continues, those who loved her are hoping for justice in her name.

In the days and weeks ahead, the Dutton family is facing an unimaginable loss. While they grieve, they also express gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from the community. In the face of this tragedy, they find solace in knowing that KayLee’s life touched so many, and they are determined to ensure that her legacy endures. As they await the conclusion of the investigation, they hope for peace and justice, so that KayLee’s memory may be honored, and the perpetrators of this senseless act may be held accountable for the pain and loss they have caused.