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WEST JORDAN — A 16-year-old boy who believed he was meeting with two other people to talk about joining their gang was shot and killed on Christmas Eve in West Jordan, according to police.
The body of Kenneth Gant, of West Jordan, was found on Christmas Day behind a storage container in the parking lot of the Gene Fullmer Fitness and Recreation Center, 8015 S. 2200 West. Police say he had been shot multiple times.
Jedediah Zane Newsome, 18, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder, two counts of discharge of a firearm, obstructing justice and being a restricted person in possession of a weapon. A 17-year-old boy was also arrested for investigation of other charges from another case and booked into juvenile detention, according to police, but formal charges in connection with the killing are pending.
On Dec. 25, Newsome and the 17-year-old stole a car from a driveway in West Valley City at gunpoint, according to a police booking affidavit. The two were spotted by police and both a car chase and foot chase ensued. Both were eventually found hiding in a backyard and arrested.
Newsome was charged Tuesday afternoon in connection with the stolen car. He is charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; possession of a weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and failing to stop for police, a class A misdemeanor.
While being interviewed by detectives after his arrest, Newsome told them that his 17-year-old friend "had committed a homicide the night before in West Jordan," the affidavit states.
After further investigation, West Jordan police detectives then interviewed Newsome who told them that he had contacted Gant on social media and asked to meet up with him under the guise of possibly joining their gang, according to the affidavit.
"(Newsome) said he had not ever met the victim before and lured him to the location due to gang affiliations," the affidavit says.
Newsome believed Gant was a member of a rival gang. He said he "asked the victim why he had not already joined (his) gang, knowing that the victim had previously been told no for being a (rival) gang member," according to the affidavit.
But when Gant did not admit to be a member of a rival gang, Newsome allegedly told police that that upset him.
Gant, Newsome and the 17-year-old then walked across the parking lot "under the guise of smoking marijuana." They stopped by a storage container and Newsome claimed the teenager shot Gant twice, according to police.
"(Newsome) said he then took the gun from (the 17-year-old), went up to the victim, who was on the ground, and shot him two more times," the affidavit states.
The two said they then ran from the scene "and hid out for the night," according to the affidavit. They returned the next day and saw the large police presence that had discovered Gant's body.
Newsome also told police he had recently run away from a Juvenile Justice Program and stole a gun during a car burglary, the affidavit states. According to charging documents, Newsome was under the supervision of 4th District Juvenile Court at the time of his arrest for "multiple felony violations."
"(Newsome) has no desire to stop committing crimes or to follow the conditions of his parole," prosecutors wrote in charging documents while requesting Newsome be held without bail pending trial.
Newsome was convicted in 2nd District Court in October for theft by receiving stolen property, according to court records. He was sentenced on Dec 3 to a suspended term of one to 15 years in prison, given credit for the 165 days he had already served in jail and placed on three years of probation.
A GoFundMe campaign* was set up by Kenneth's aunt to help his family.
"Lil Kenneth ... was a smart, funny, sweet young man, he love everyone especially his mom, sister Victoria and his brother Victor," the aunt stated on the fundraising page.
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
