In the early morning hours of October 29, 2015, a quiet East Millcreek neighborhood in Salt Lake City, UT, was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 47-year-old Rusty Russell Reed Jacobs, a White male. The incident began around 2 a.m. when Jesse Lyle Bruner, 34, attempted to forcibly enter the Jacobs' family home. The commotion awakened Rusty Jacobs, a husband and father of four.
Armed with a handgun, Jacobs went outside to investigate and confronted Bruner, who was now a short
distance down the street. An exchange of words followed, during which Bruner revealed a sawed-off shotgun. Bruner fired at Jacobs, striking him in his outstretched hand, which held a flashlight, and then in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Jacobs returned fire, shooting Bruner multiple times.
When Unified Police officers arrived at the scene near 3700 South and 3100 East, they found both men critically injured. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but both Rusty Jacobs and Jesse Lyle Bruner were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later revealed that Bruner was also armed with three knives in addition to the shotgun.
The investigation concluded that Jacobs acted in defense of his home and family. Authorities believe Bruner chose the Jacobs' residence at random. Due to the death of the sole suspect, Jesse Lyle Bruner, during the commission of the crime, no arrests were made in connection with the death of Rusty Jacobs. His obituary remembered him as a hero who died protecting his family.
