On June 4, 2014, the life of 17-year-old Harley Jarrett was cut tragically short in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. A junior at Brighton High School, Harley was known for his love of the outdoors, including snowboarding, skateboarding, and hiking. The incident occurred at a friend's house near 6800 South Pine Rock Drive, where a group of teenagers had gathered to celebrate the end of the school year.
While in the basement of the home, away from adult supervision, a.
45 caliber revolver was produced. The firearm had been reported stolen from a nearby residence weeks earlier. As the teenagers were handling the weapon, one of them, believing it to be unloaded, pulled the trigger. A single shot was fired, striking Harley in the head and killing him at the scene.
In the wake of the shooting, two 16-year-old Brighton High School students were charged in juvenile court. The teenager who fired the weapon was charged with negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor. Another 16-year-old was charged with reckless endangerment, also a class A misdemeanor. Both were also charged with receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony. A third teenager was arrested in connection with the burglary where the gun was originally stolen. The case proceeded through the juvenile court system.
