On an otherwise quiet evening in Ogden, Utah, the life of Scott David Roberts, a 65-year-old White/Caucasian male, was brought to a tragic and violent end. On April 27, 2023, Roberts was at his home with his wife, Jodi, when his estranged brother, Jeffrey Roberts, arrived unannounced from his residence in Long Beach, California. The encounter, captured in part by a doorbell camera, began with a seemingly casual conversation between the two brothers on the front porch.
The brief exchange
took a horrific turn when Jeffrey suddenly drew a handgun and fired multiple shots at Scott, killing him in the doorway of his own home. The violence escalated as Jeffrey then entered the house, shot and wounded Jodi Roberts, and proceeded to set the home on fire using road flares. Neighbors, alerted by the sound of as many as 15 gunshots, promptly called 911. The motive for this devastating attack was later described by authorities as a long-standing family dispute over their mother's estate.
Upon the arrival of North Ogden police officers, Jeffrey Roberts exited the now-burning house and immediately opened fire on them. The officers returned fire, fatally wounding the 66-year-old gunman. Inside the smoldering remains of the home, authorities found Scott David Roberts deceased. His wife, Jodi, was rescued from the scene and transported to a hospital for her injuries.
In the aftermath, friends and family mourned Scott, remembering him as a beloved husband, father, and retired university professor. His daughter hailed him as a hero, stating that he fought his brother and urged his wife to run, an act that undoubtedly saved her life. The sole suspect in the murder of Scott David Roberts, his brother Jeffrey, was killed at the scene, and therefore no arrests were made in connection with his death. Investigators found that Jeffrey Roberts was heavily armed, carrying a 9mm handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, over 150 shotgun shells, and 23 fully loaded handgun magazines. The Weber County Attorney's Office later justified the use of force by the officers involved.
