A 16-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his 15-year-old girlfriend in Ogden over the weekend is being charged as an adult, authorities confirmed Monday. Hezekiah Plummer faces multiple charges, including murder, obstruction of justice, theft, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.
The shooting occurred early Saturday morning at a home near 3600 Jackson Avenue. Ogden police said officers were dispatched just before 3 a.m. following reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they discovered the teenage girl dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
A witness who lived in the home told investigators he heard several distant gunshots, followed by one that sounded close by. Concerned, he ran to check on everyone inside. The witness said he then saw Plummer running up the stairs, claiming someone had tried to rob them, before fleeing the home with a gun in his hand, as per FOX 13 News.
The victim’s mother later informed police that her Glock handgun was missing. She told investigators she found the firearm’s box in her daughter’s bedroom. According to her statement, Plummer had arrived at the house around 1 a.m. that morning, saying he had nowhere to stay, and she had agreed to let him spend the night.
Detectives located Plummer later that day in Davis County. When he was arrested, police said he was carrying several ounces of marijuana. Investigators believe Plummer and the victim were the only two people in the bedroom at the time of the shooting. A spent bullet casing was found in the hallway outside the room.
Officers also discovered possible bullet holes on the exterior of the home and several shell casings on the street a short distance away, though authorities do not believe those shots were connected to the girl’s death. Prosecutors allege that Plummer attempted to dispose of the gun after the shooting. The weapon has not been publicly confirmed as recovered.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive, but investigators continue to piece together what led up to the fatal encounter. Police described the case as a tragic example of gun violence involving teens and emphasized the importance of firearm safety and secure storage.
Plummer remains in custody as the case moves forward. If convicted of the murder charge, he could face a lengthy prison sentence under Utah law. The community has been left reeling from the tragedy, with neighbors expressing shock and heartbreak over the death of the young girl.