Jacob Hess, 20, died on November 24, 2023, after being shot at a home in Bountiful, Utah. Friends had been gathered at the residence planning to go to a nearby shooting range. The shooting occurred inside a basement bedroom when a Taurus handgun discharged; Jacob was struck, treated at the scene, and later died of his injuries.

The homeowner and high school friend, 21-year-old Dylan Francis Goodin, was outside when officers arrived and reportedly said it was an accident and asked to be arrested. Goodin himself had a gunshot wound to his hand; investigators believe the same bullet wounded him and fatally struck Jacob. Court documents say a witness saw Goodin holding the gun pointed toward Jacob with his finger on the trigger and pulling the trigger. Goodin told investigators he thought the gun was empty but it fired when he racked it. A search of Goodin’s bedroom reportedly turned up alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and paraphernalia. Goodin has been charged with manslaughter, possession of a weapon by a restricted person, drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Does anyone have information about Jacob, the scene that night, or what led up to the shooting?