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PLEASANT GROVE -- Family members are grieving for a man who was apparently shot to death by his nephew in Pleasant Grove. Police confirmed the uncle-nephew connection yesterday. Now, relatives are pulling together during this complicated time.
Jeff Wilson, the victim's brother-in-law is, of course, devastated to lose someone in the family; but he made it clear he isn't upset with the shooter, who might have been on drugs at the time.
Twenty-five-year-old Colton Louder is suspected of killing his uncle, Jeff Ackerman, but family members say they don't know that Louder.
"At the time it happened, that was not Colton. If he was on something, that's why it happened, because he wouldn't have done it," Wilson said.
Instead, they remember a smiling, happy Colton, but that all changed when he turned to drugs.
Wilson said Colton was "dealing with things he shouldn't be dealing with in his life."
Family says Jeff had been trying to help Colton with his problem because he'd gone through the same thing.
"If Jeff knew this was going to be the outcome of this, he'd do it again, because he loved Colton. He had a deep love for Colton. Colton had a deep love for Jeff," Wilson said.
Officers say Colton got into an argument with his uncle, then fired a shot and ran off. Jeff chased after Colton, at which time police say Colton shot his uncle several times in the chest. He died at the hospital.
Wilson said, "Jeff was an inspiration to all of us. He loved his family."
In fact, before this happened, Jeff was getting ready to visit his daughter in St. George.
"That was his life. He always looked forward to weekends to go spend time with his daughter," Wilson said.
Police arrested Colton Louder on investigation of murder and burglary. His mother apparently talked to her son after the incident. At that time, he hadn't realized what he did.
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
