Roy, Utah woke up to heartbreak Sunday morning after a deadly shooting near Westlake Drive claimed the life of 58-year-old Kenneth Keller. Police say Keller was rushed to a local hospital after being shot, but doctors were unable to save him. He died from his injuries a short time later, leaving a shaken neighborhood searching for answers.
Investigators say the trouble began in the early morning hours when Keller confronted two people he believed were involved in vehicle-related crimes in the area. What started as a neighborhood dispute quickly turned violent. During that confrontation, a gun was fired, and the two individuals ran from the scene.
Roy City police officers responded quickly after receiving reports of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. As a precaution, authorities issued a shelter-in-place alert for nearby residents while officers secured the area and searched for suspects. That alert was lifted a little over an hour later once police determined there was no immediate threat to the public.
Not long after, officers located one of the suspects a short distance from where the shooting occurred. Police identified him as 21-year-old Taylor Gardner. Gardner was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the Weber County Correctional Facility. He faces several serious charges, including murder, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and obstruction of justice. He is currently being held without bail.
Police also confirmed that a second individual connected to the case was taken into custody. For now, authorities have not released that person’s name or any additional details. Investigators say the case remains active as they work to piece together exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.
As part of the investigation, Roy City police are asking residents in the surrounding neighborhood to review home security footage, doorbell cameras, or any video that may show suspicious activity around the time of the incident. Officers are especially interested in footage that could provide more context or show the suspects before or after the shooting.
Police leaders described the shooting as a tragic loss for Keller’s family and the wider community. They urged residents to remain vigilant, secure their vehicles, and report suspicious behavior rather than confronting possible suspects directly. Authorities also thanked the public for their cooperation during the shelter-in-place and the ongoing investigation.
The Roy City Police Department says updates will be shared as more information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on completing a thorough investigation and ensuring accountability, while a community mourns a life lost far too suddenly.
