Crime
Suspects arrested in shooting and killing of 17-year-old KayLee Dutton, identified
Michael Hess-Witucki is responsible for Kaylees murder. He fired the weapon 12 times.
Four men were arrested on Saturday in connection with a fatal drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 17-year-old KayLee Dutton and injured her passenger.
Investigators stated that two of the suspects admitted to following the victims’ vehicle, believing it was “stalking” them, before firing shots that killed the teen driver late Friday night.
The suspects were identified as Michael Edward Hess-Witucki, 23; Ethan Andrew Galloway, 23; Aldric S. Felipe, 21; and Matthew D. Sorber-Petri, 22.
Hess-Witucki and Galloway were arrested on suspicion of murder, 12 counts of discharging a firearm resulting in serious injury, obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
Felipe and Sorber-Petri were arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled substance, and being restricted persons in the transaction of a firearm.
According to Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter, KayLee Dutton and her friend were traveling in a red truck along a road northwest of Cedar City on Friday night when another vehicle began following them.
At approximately 10:42 p.m., the pursuing vehicle pulled alongside the girls’ truck and opened fire.
Authorities reported that 12 shots were fired at the truck before the suspects fled the scene.
The gunfire struck Dutton, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, broke through a vinyl fence, and came to rest roughly 100 feet northwest of the intersection of Midvalley Road and 4300 West.
Emergency responders found Dutton critically injured at the scene. Despite lifesaving efforts, she succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Her friend, who sustained a leg injury, managed to call 911. Authorities are still investigating the cause of her injury.
Police identified Hess-Witucki as the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the shooting. According to a police affidavit, he admitted to driving the vehicle while Galloway, seated in the front passenger seat, fired the shots that killed Dutton.
Investigators stated that the suspects believed the victims’ vehicle had previously been in their neighborhood and mistook it for someone stalking them. “Both suspects admitted their actions resulted in serious bodily injury and the death of the victim,” the affidavit noted.
Authorities canvassed the area based on information provided by the surviving victim and discovered a vehicle matching the description of the suspects’ car. Witnesses in the neighborhood corroborated the timeline, providing surveillance footage that placed the suspects’ vehicle at the scene of the shooting.
Deputies obtained search warrants for the suspects’ vehicle and residence. Before executing the warrants, Hess-Witucki, Galloway, and Sorber-Petri were detained while attempting to leave a home.
During the search, deputies recovered firearms and ammunition consistent with evidence collected at the crime scene, as well as controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, including marijuana vapes, mushroom vapes, and smoking devices.
In a post-Miranda interview, both Hess-Witucki and Galloway confessed to their roles in the incident. Galloway reportedly wrote a letter of apology to Dutton’s parents, explaining his actions and providing his perspective on why he pursued and fired upon their vehicle.
Investigators determined that the suspects and victims had been in the same townhome complex for unrelated reasons prior to the shooting.
Sorber-Petri admitted to allowing Hess-Witucki and Galloway to take his firearm, fully aware it would be used to confront the perceived “stalker.” Felipe, meanwhile, remained at the residence but was aware of the pursuit and the planned confrontation, according to the affidavit.
Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter expressed grief and outrage over the senseless nature of the crime. “Our hearts go out to the families of these two young ladies. They werenโt doing anything wrong. They were just being teenagers having fun, and someone violently attacked them and ended their life for no apparent reason at this point,” Carpenter said.
He added, “We are dedicated to finding those responsible, and we will hold them accountable.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Iron County Sheriffโs Office.
Arrest Details for Michael Hess-Witucki
- Agency: Iron County Sheriffโs Office (ICSO)
- Arrest Type: PCAR (Probable Cause Arrest)
- Date/Time of Arrest: January 18, 2025, at 5:47 PM
Charges:
- 76-5-203:
- 1 count of Murder in the Second Degree
- 76-10-508.1(1)(A):
- 12 counts of Felony Discharge of a Firearm โ Shooting at a Person
- 76-8-306(2)+(3C):
- 1 count of Obstruction of Justice โ Violation Not Otherwise Enumerated
- 58-37-8(2)(D):
- 1 count of Drug Possession (Marijuana/Spice)
- 76-10-503(2)(B):
- 1 count of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person
Booking Details: Ethan Galloway
- Booking Image: Ethan Galloway
- Inmate Name: ICSO
- Arresting Agency: PCAR
- Arrest Date & Time: January 18, 2025, at 5:46 PM
- Charges:
- 76-5-203: 1 count of Murder II
- 76-10-508.1(1)(A): 10 counts of Felony Discharge of Firearm – Shoot At Person
- 76-8-306(2)+(3C): 1 count of Obstruction of Justice – Violation Not Otherwise Enumerated
- 58-37-8(2)(D): 1 count of Drug Possession (Controlled Substance)
2. Booking Details: Aldric Felipe
- Booking Image: Aldric Felipe
- Inmate Name: ICSO
- Arresting Agency: PCAR
- Arrest Date & Time: January 18, 2025, at 8:23 PM
- Charges:
- 76-8-306(2)+(3C): 1 count of Obstruction of Justice – Violation Not Otherwise Enumerated
- 76-10-503(9A)+(9BIII): 1 count of Category II Restricted Person – Firearm
- 58-37-8(2)(B)(II): 1 count of Drug Possession (Controlled Substance, Schedule I/II/Analog)
3. Booking Details: Matthew Sorber-Petrie
- Booking Image: Matthew Sorber-Petrie
- Inmate Name: ICSO
- Arresting Agency: PCAR
- Arrest Date & Time: January 18, 2025, at 7:11 PM
- Charges:
- 76-8-306(2)+(3C): 1 count of Obstruction of Justice – Violation Not Otherwise Enumerated
- 76-10-503(9A)+(9BIII): 1 count of Category II Restricted Person – Firearm
- 58-37-8(2)(B)(II): 1 count of Drug Possession (Controlled Substance, Schedule I/II/Analog)
Orlando, Fla. โ Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruzโs father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruzโs partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruzโs partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
โWhen they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,โ Anthony Cruz said. โMy son didnโt deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt โ a shirt with a bullet hole.โ
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruzโs family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruzโs memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the clubโs property.
โI didnโt know the victim, but from everything Iโve been told, I wish I had,โ Cooper said. โHe seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.โ
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.