Jerrad Jacobsen was 16 when he died from a gunshot wound on March 18, 2019, at a home in Kearns, Utah. He was found in a bedroom at 5007 W. 5400 South. The death was first investigated as a possible accidental, self-inflicted shooting, but the investigation changed direction after an autopsy and interviews.

The autopsy found a head wound likely to be an entrance wound from a downward angle, a detail that conflicted with the initial accidental theory. Three days after the shooting, police arrested Jerrad’s 15-year-old stepbrother. In a later interview the youth admitted he pointed a shotgun at Jerrad and pulled the trigger, saying he thought the gun was unloaded; he also said he had gone to the house to borrow clothes and to smoke and was under the influence of drugs. The stepbrother was charged with manslaughter and obstructing justice; he later pleaded guilty to manslaughter under a plea agreement and was ordered to serve an indefinite term in secure juvenile detention. Jerrad’s mother spoke at sentencing, expressing profound grief and questioning the plea deal.

If anyone knew Jerrad or has information about what happened that day, please share what you know.