In a remote area twenty miles west of Snowville, Utah, a day of target shooting among family turned into a tragedy on February 20, 2016. James Shurtz, a 27-year-old Caucasian male, was with his father, Glenn Shurtz, taking turns firing rifles on that Saturday afternoon. The outing took a fatal turn when James, who was acting as a spotter downrange, moved into his father's line of fire. He was struck in the chest by a single round from a. 30-caliber rifle and died at the scene.
The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident, concluding that it was an accidental shooting. Chief Deputy Dale Ward stated that there was no indication of foul play, and the event was a heartbreaking accident. Consequently, no arrests were made, and no other suspects were ever considered in the death of James Shurtz. The authorities' focus was on understanding the chain of events that led to the fatal moment.
James was a beloved husband to his wife, Janae, and a father to their 7-month-old twins, a boy and a girl named Easton and Navy. His obituary described him as a man with a passion for learning and a love for the great outdoors, who was naturally gifted at many things he pursued. He was remembered as a friend to many, and his unexpected death left a deep void in the lives of his family and all who knew him. In the wake of his passing, the community rallied around his young family, offering support through a memorial fund to help with funeral expenses and the unexpected life transitions they faced.
