On a summer evening in Kearns, Utah, the life of 23-year-old Hispanic male, Fernando Amaya-Higareda, was cut short in a sudden act of violence. On July 6, 2021, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Amaya-Higareda was driving his truck near 5600 South and 5300 West when he encountered two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, who were walking with a bicycle. He pulled over, and a verbal exchange ensued. Witnesses later recalled hearing phrases like "Wassup?"
and mentions of "beef" exchanged between them.
As the encounter seemed to conclude and Amaya-Higareda began to drive away, one of the teenagers kicked his truck. In response, the 15-year-old, Joseph Palmer, pulled a handgun from a backpack and fired multiple shots at the departing vehicle. One of the bullets struck Fernando Amaya-Higareda in the head, killing him instantly. His truck continued to roll for about 200 yards before coming to a stop in a nearby park. The back window of the truck was shattered.
The two teenagers fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Law enforcement, aided by witness descriptions and neighborhood doorbell cameras, located and apprehended the two boys a short time later. During their investigation, police discovered a handgun hidden under the bumper of a nearby car. In the backpack belonging to the 15-year-old shooter, they found ammunition and drug paraphernalia. The 16-year-old who was with him was not immediately charged in connection with the shooting.
Joseph Palmer, the 15-year-old who fired the weapon, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, obstructing justice, and multiple counts of discharging a firearm. In June 2023, his case went to trial. His defense attorney argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense, but the jury rejected this claim. After about three hours of deliberation, the jury found the now 17-year-old Palmer guilty on all charges. In August 2023, he was sentenced to a term of 15 years to life in prison.
