In the early morning hours of July 17, 2021, in West Jordan, Utah, a tragic incident unfolded that ended the life of 13-year-old Lance Moorhead, a Caucasian male. The young teen, who had just turned 13 in March of that year, was a lover of skateboarding, football, and video games. He was known for a contagious smile that could warm anyone's heart.
On that fateful night, Lance and a 15-year-old friend made a pact to sneak out of their homes and meet at a local church parking lot.
The older boy brought a firearm with him. As the two boys were handling and looking at the gun, it accidentally discharged. The single shot struck Lance, killing him at the scene. Police later described the event as a series of poor decisions made by the two adolescents.
Following the shooting, the distraught 15-year-old immediately called 911 to get help for his friend. When law enforcement arrived, they found a scenario that they would later deem a "tragic accident." While investigators did not believe the 15-year-old intended to kill his friend, they stated that the evidence showed some level of criminal culpability. The 15-year-old was subsequently arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center on suspicion of manslaughter.
Lance's family was left to grapple with the immense loss. His father, Derek Thatcher, released a statement expressing the family's profound grief and highlighting his son's loving nature and bright smile. He emphasized the importance of gun safety to prevent similar tragedies. Lance was deeply loved by his parents, many siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles and his absence has been immensely felt by his family and friends.
