Evan Spencer Cole

An avid outdoorsman and devoted University of Utah football fan, Evan Spencer Cole was looking forward to watching the rivalry game against BYU with his friend. The 32-year-old man was remembered for his optimistic outlook, his love for adventure, and the easy laughter he shared with those closest to him. Born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, on February 16, 1994, to Ronald and Joyce Cole, Evan grew up playing football and graduated from Choctaw High School. As an adult, he moved to Utah, drawn by the state's majestic landscapes. He settled in Lehi and worked as a self-employed plumber.

Evan embraced every opportunity to explore the natural world. His friend, Andrew Creer, recalled how Evan was "constantly in awe" of Utah's beauty, frequently visiting places like Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He was a passionate snowboarder who loved a clear, sunny day on the mountains and also traveled to California to surf. Beyond his love for sports and nature, Evan prioritized experiences like camping and live music. His family remembered his love for animals and his playful spirit with the young and young at heart. He is survived by his parents and four siblings: Brianne, Chelsea, Jared, and Joshua.

On the morning of Saturday, November 7, 2026, Evan was on his way from his home to his friend Andrew's house in Salt Lake City for the "Holy War" football game. He texted Andrew around 9:30 a.m. to say he was leaving. Just before 10 a.m., his journey was cut short in the Granary District. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, Evan and another driver pulled over near 495 W. 600 South for an unknown reason. An altercation occurred outside of Evan's vehicle, and he was shot.

When Andrew checked the shared location on his friend's phone, he saw it was stationary in the Granary District, which he found odd. He called just after 10 a.m. and sent a text at halftime asking, "Are you OK?" He never received a reply. Emergency services responded to the scene and found Evan outside his car. He died there from his injuries. The shooter fled in their vehicle immediately after the confrontation.

The Salt Lake City Police Department launched a homicide investigation. Detectives began canvassing the industrial area for evidence and collecting surveillance video from nearby businesses in an effort to identify the suspect and their vehicle. Police Sgt. Greg Wilking confirmed that as of the following Tuesday, investigators were actively pursuing leads. Andrew Creer later noted the surreal and heartbreaking experience of seeing his friend's phone location marker at the police department's evidence room.

Friends and family mourned the senseless loss of a man known for his warmth, humor, and positive energy. "It still doesn't make any sense to me why someone would do something so thoughtless and so cruel," Andrew Creer told reporters. He said Evan would have wanted people to focus on the positive and find solutions rather than dwell on the tragedy. "He was just an absolute rock star in everything he did," Creer said, adding that he would miss his friend's infectious laugh most of all.

A private memorial service for Evan was held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Lindon, Utah. In his memory, his family requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to 4Ocean, a charity that reflected Evan's love for the environment.

As of November 2026, the investigation into Evan Cole's murder is ongoing. The Salt Lake City Police Department has not publicly identified a suspect or a motive in the shooting. Authorities continue to seek information from the public to bring justice to Evan's family and loved ones.