Police launch investigation into ‘suspicious’ death of girl, 17, who died from a gunshot wound at a Utah house party after witnesses claimed she ‘shot herself’
- Police in Utah have launched an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl who died in a shooting at a house party over the weekend
- Officers were summoned to a home in Salt Lake County at 10:20pm on Saturday night to reports that teenager Kaylissa O’Leary had shot herself
- However, cops say they’re now considering O’Leary’s death to be ‘suspicious’
- A number of party attendees fled the scene before police could arrive, so investigators are yet to speak to all the people present
- A car that took O’Leary to the party went missing after the shooting but was recovered Monday. Police say they don’t know why it disappeared
Police in Utah have launched an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl who died from a gunshot wound at a house party over the weekend, citing ‘suspicious’ circumstances.
Officers from the Unified Police Department were summoned to a home in Salt Lake County at 10:20pm on Saturday night to reports that teenager Kaylissa O’Leary had shot herself.
However, by Sunday, police said they were now considering O’Leary’s death to be ‘suspicious’.
‘There was a party going on. There was a gun at that party. We don’t know exactly what happened from then,’ Sergeant Melody Gray told FOX13.
Police in Utah have launched an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl who died in a shooting at a house party over the weekend, citing ‘suspicious’ circumstances
Officers from the Unified Police Department were summoned to a home in Salt Lake County at 10:20pm on Saturday night to reports that teenager Kaylissa O’Leary had shot herself
Gray added that a number of party attendees fled the scene before police could arrive, so investigators are yet to speak to all the people present at the time of the death.
‘We are investigating this as a suspicious death because we do not know exactly who had that gun, we don’t know if she had it,’ Gray continued.
The sergeant declined to comment as to whether drugs or alcohol were found at the scene. She was also unable to confirm whether any adults were present at the party.
In addition to the missing witnesses, police were also searching for the vehicle that drove O’Leary the party.
The vehicle, described as a 2010 blue Honda Civic with Utah license plate F944HG, was recovered by officers on Monday evening.
Police say they have no idea why the vehicle would have disappeared from the scene.
In addition to the missing witnesses, police were also searching for the vehicle that drove O’Leary the party. The vehicle, described as a 2010 blue Honda Civic with Utah license plate F944HG, was recovered by officers on Monday evening
A number of party attendees fled the scene before police could arrive, so investigators are yet to speak to all the people present at the time of the death.
Gray said they’re waiting on an autopsy report to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death, as well as speaking to others who were at the party but fled the scene.
‘What led up to this? Was it indeed an accident? Was it intentional? We don’t know at this point,’ she said.
‘I feel like we say this a lot: Guns aren’t toys and they need to be treated as a weapon, which is what it is.’
O’Leary was a senior at Copper Hills High School. The Jordan School district has place grief counselors on campus for anyone who needs additional support.
‘It’s concerning to know that this happened so close to home,’ Copper Hills High School parent Tim Lane told ABC4. ‘We as parents and also the youth will rally around and help support those out there.’
The student body is planning a vigil for O’Leary, however details have not yet been released.