Eagle Mountain, Utah – Today, the Utah County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic incident in the vicinity of Kestrel Way in Eagle Mountain. The suspect is now in custody and was taken without incident. The original shooting victim is in fair condition and was transported to the hospital via life flight. As a precautionary measure, Cedar Valley High School, Frontier Middle, Mountain Trails Elementary, and Eagle Valley Elementary have been placed on Secure Mode. However, no schools are involved in the incident.
At approximately 1:45 PM this afternoon, Central Utah Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a man had been shot on Kestrel Drive in Eagle Mountain. Deputies arrived and found a 61-year-old man with a gunshot wound in his lower abdomen. The suspect, Mark Samuel Roberts, had allegedly fired rounds through a wall at the victim, stepped out into an open room and shot him. After shooting the victim, Roberts retreated to a bedroom in the home, prompting deputies to evacuate the victim and other residents before establishing a perimeter around the home. The victim was airlifted to Utah Valley Hospital and is expected to recover.
Due to the presence of a handgun, a reverse 911 was sent to nearby residents, warning them of the incident and advising them to Shelter in Place until further notice. Additionally, Alpine School District officials locked down several schools in the area, and Utah County Metro SWAT team was sent in to help secure the area. After some time, Sheriff’s Office negotiators managed to contact Roberts, who left the gun on a bed and surrendered to SWAT team members. The shelter-in-place order was lifted, and the schools were released.
According to the Utah County Sheriffs Office, Roberts has been booked into the Utah County jail on the following charges:
- Attempted murder, first degree felony
- Felony discharge of a firearm-shooting in the direction of a person x 2 counts, first degree felony
- Aggravated assault-domestic violence x 2 counts, second degree felony
- Assault-domestic violence x 2 counts, class B misdemeanor
Roberts is currently being held without bail.
We talked to one of the students at Cedar Valley High School about what was part of the lockdown. He stated that at first, they thought it was a drill. It happened during their Forth period class. The teachers sheltered in place. His History teacher had games, so the students played Uno and other games.
At 2:48, the parents of Cedar Valley High School students received the following email.
Parents:
We are aware of a situation in the Eagle Mountain area that is impacting four of our schools: Cedar Valley High, Frontier Middle School, Mountain Trails Elementary, and Eagle Valley Elementary. This is a situation that is occurring in a nearby neighborhood. Parents will not be allowed to pick up their student until the Utah County Sheriff lifts the “secure” order. We will let you know as soon as the “secure” order has been lifted.
The Utah County Sherrif office gave these details on their Facebook account
Eagle Mountain City Hall released this announcement.
At 4:49 PM the principal (Courtney Johnson) released the following email to parents about the incident.
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your patience today during our “Shelter-in-place” protocol. We were asked by the Sheriff’s Department to keep the kids inside where it was safe. Thank you for your help.
Our teachers and staff did a fantastic job holding kids where they needed to be. For that, I am thankful and feel so fortunate to work at a school where safety is a priority.
Principal Johnson
Cedar Valley High School
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.