Fatal Layton shooting wasn't reported for 45 minutes, warrant says


1 photo
Save Story

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

LAYTON — After a Layton man was killed in his home during a fight last month, roommates exchanged text messages about what to say to police before they reported the shooting, newly unsealed search warrant affidavits say.

After 24-year-old Taylor Vancamp was shot, "There was approximately a 45 minute delay from the time of the incident until law enforcement was summoned," an affidavit filed in 2nd District Court states.

On Dec. 19, Christopher Scott Fritz, 20, got into a fistfight with his friend Vancamp, in their Layton house, 1407 E. 275 North.

"The two had reportedly been drinking alcoholic beverages and began to fight," the warrant states.

After the fight broke up, Fritz allegedly went into his bedroom, which was across the hall from Vancamp's room, and shut the door. When he looked in a mirror and saw he had a black eye and bloody nose, Fritz later told investigators that he "snapped," charging documents state.

Investigators say he took a handgun from a dresser drawer, chambered a round and saw Vancamp in his room.

"Fritz said he then began to fire his gun at Taylor and continued firing until the weapon would not fire any more," according to the charges.

Fritz's father, who lives downstairs, heard the shots. He found his son, who told him, "I killed Taylor," charges state.

A witness told police that Vancamp shouted, "It wasn't me, bro!" just before the shooting.

Fritz is charged with murder, a first-degree felony.

Related:

Police found Vancamp's body in the doorway of his bedroom. Investigators located two guns in the kitchen, according to the affidavit.

One warrant sought permission from a judge to search the vehicles of the four occupants who had been in the house at the time, noting that "due to the time lapse in the initial report," detectives were concerned that evidence might have been moved.

According to another warrant, detectives also wanted to check the cellphones of everyone in the house.

"While conducting interviews, law enforcement learned Christopher (Fritz) Sr. had communicated with (a woman who also lived there) and Christopher Jr. about what they would tell police regarding what had occurred," the warrant states.

The woman, 19, then sent a text to her roommate "and told her Christopher Sr. was telling everyone what they should say about the events," according to the affidavit.

No charges have been filed against the father or the woman.

A bail hearing for Fritz, who is being held in the Davis County Jail without bail, is scheduled for Monday, according to court records.

Photos

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Pat Reavy

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
    Newsletter Signup

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button