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Update: West Jordan High responds to Christmas Day shooting of student; meanwhile, two suspects are under arrest
Dec 28, 2021, 3:45 PM | Updated: 4:55 pm
FILE: A West Jordan police vehicle is pictured in West Jordan on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Steve Griffin/ Deseret News)
(Steve Griffin/ Deseret News)
WEST JORDAN, Utah — The Administration of West Jordan High School has responded to the shooting death of one of its students. The body of Kenneth Gant was found by police in a parking lot at 8015 South 2200 West.
“It is with great sorrow that we are reaching out to inform you about the tragic loss of one of our students, Kenneth Gant,” a statement from West Jordan High administrators began.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of Kenneth at this very difficult time.”
The school will have counselors available on Monday, Jan. 3, at West Jordan High School to help students, teachers, or families who may need help.
They encourage anybody that needs to talk to visit their Jordan Health and Wellness webpage.
Two suspects in custody after Christmas day shooting
Two people are in custody, after being accused in the deadly Christmas day shooting of 16-year-old Kenneth Gant of West Jordan.
The suspects are 18-year-old Jedediah Zane Newsome and an unnamed 17-year-old boy.
December 25, WJPD responded to a welfare check + located a deceased male with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim identified as Kenneth Gant, a 16-year-old West Jordan resident.
Two suspects are in custody – 18-yr-old Jedediah Zane Newsome (5-2-03) and a 17-yr-old juvenile male— West Jordan Police Dept. (@WJPD_PIO) December 28, 2021
West Jordan Police said the two suspects met with Gant “under the guise of enticing him to join their gang,” and that both of the suspects shot Gant.
Newsome is being held on investigation of homicide and felony discharge of a firearm. He was also booked for obstruction of justice, and transaction of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
The 17-year-old suspect is in juvenile detention on an unrelated incident in West Valley City, police said. Charges against him are pending.
