The South Ogden community has been shaken by the violent events that unfolded on January 8, leading to the death of Brandon Kay. Kay, who was identified by family members online, lost his life after sustaining gunshot wounds inflicted by his neighbor, James Joseph Rios. According to ABC4, the South Ogden Police Department was called to the scene on the evening of the incident, amidst reports of gunshots, only to come under fire from Rios as well.
Adding to the distress of the incident, Kay's son was among the injured, receiving a gunshot wound to his foot, while the family's Dachshund, Samson, was also tragically killed in the shooting. Kay, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, succumbed to his injuries on January 13, leaving behind a mourning family and community. The details of the events, recounted by a GoFundMe campaign set up to support Kay's family, reveal a man who dedicated two decades to the same job and was beloved by many. Underscoring the impact of the loss, the fundraiser notes that "There is a hole in everyone Brandon knew that he leaves in our hearts and in our community that is too large for any one person to ever fill again," as reported by KSL.
Rios, meanwhile, has been apprehended and faces charges that include aggravated murder and multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder. Before Kay's passing, Rios had already been charged with several felonies and a misdemeanor related to animal cruelty. After the shooting, investigating officers reported that Rios admitted to acting on "internal anger," targeting neighbors and law enforcement. This update in the case came from a statement the Weber County Attorney’s Office released and included in a social media post by Heidi Hatch.
