Ricky Lee Eldredge Jr., 21, died from a gunshot wound suffered at a residence in Nephi, Utah, on the evening of May 3, 2019. Emergency crews were called about 5:35 p.m.; Eldredge, a Levan resident employed at Doyle’s Diesel, was rushed to a local hospital and later died. Law enforcement said the wound was not self-inflicted and that Eldredge did not live at the address where the shooting occurred.

Investigators later determined the shooting was accidental. A friend, 20-year-old Seth Clark Jolley of Payson, admitted he was handling a handgun and pulling the trigger while attempting to disassemble it without first checking the chamber. The discharged round struck Eldredge in the abdomen, causing the fatal injury. Jolley was charged with negligent homicide and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Anyone who knew Ricky or who was at the residence that evening and can help clarify what happened is asked to come forward with information.