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 weren’t 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 Sheriff’s Office.
Arrest Details for Michael Hess-Witucki
- Agency: Iron County Sheriff’s 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 – Shooting at a 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 (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)
Authorities in Maine have released additional details regarding the tragic Sabattus shooting that left three people dead and two others injured on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
29-year-old James Davis III, a resident of Sabattus, has been identified as the gunman.
According to Maine State Police Colonel William Ross, Davis was experiencing a mental health crisis before the incident, which resulted in the deaths of his 47-year-old mother, Christine Smith, and 53-year-old Katherine Williams, a local school employee.
Davis lived with his mother on Dube Drive, located less than a mile from where the shooting occurred.
Authorities say he had a sporadic work history, did not have a driver’s license, and was primarily cared for by his mother.
On the morning of the shooting, Smith drove Davis to his father’s home on Birchwood Drive, where he spent most of the day with his father and grandmother.
Family members reported that Davis began acting erratically, speaking incoherently, and displaying signs of mental distress.
Relatives attempted to contact Smith throughout the day, as she was often able to calm him down.
Later, Davis’ father arranged for him to meet with his mother, hoping it would help stabilize his behavior.
Investigators revealed that Davis was in possession of a .357 revolver and an AK-47 rifle when he arrived at his father’s home. After the shooting, additional firearms were recovered from the residence.
Authorities confirmed that Davis carried both weapons into his father’s vehicle when he was driven to meet his mother. When he switched to her car, he took the firearms with him.
Despite Davis’ troubling behavior earlier in the day, there was no indication that family members attempted to remove his firearms or contact law enforcement before the tragedy unfolded.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., Smith was driving Davis home on King Road, approaching the intersection of Middle Road (Route 9), when Davis shot her with the .357 revolver.
Smith was killed instantly, and the vehicle veered off the road, coming to a stop on the front lawn of a nearby home near the Lisbon town line.
Davis then exited the vehicle with the AK-47 and began firing indiscriminately at passing cars.
Three drivers were struck by gunfire:
- Katherine Williams, 53, of Sabattus – Fatally wounded. Her vehicle crashed into a nearby home. She was transported to Central Maine Medical Center (CMCC) in Lewiston, where she was pronounced dead.
- Tyson Turner, 19, of Jay – Shot while driving. Transported to CMCC with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.
- David Wilson, 35, of Hartford – Also struck by gunfire. Transported to CMCC with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.
After firing multiple rounds into traffic, Davis turned the AK-47 on himself, dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police confirmed that the entire incident unfolded within a matter of minutes.
Williams, affectionately known as “Kay,” was a beloved employee of Regional School Unit 4.
She served as the food service manager at Carrie Ricker School and Libby Tozier School in Litchfield.
In a letter to families, Superintendent Katy Grondin expressed the school community’s grief:
“There is no question that her death will have an impact on all of us, as Kay was a beloved member of the RSU 4 community. Our thoughts are with her family as they begin to process this loss.”
Authorities do not believe Davis knew any of the passing drivers he shot at, indicating the attack was random.
While police are still investigating Davis’ history of drug use, an initial search did not uncover any drugs, and his family did not report any signs of substance abuse.
An autopsy will determine whether he had any substances in his system at the time of the shooting.
Col. Ross acknowledged the rarity of such incidents, though he referenced a similar mass shooting in Bowdoin, Maine, as another recent act of violence.
The Maine State Police, Sabattus Police Department, Lisbon Police Department, and Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the tragedy.
Further details will be released as they become available.