19-year-old suspected of killing man in Riverton shooting

RIVERTON, Utah ( ABC4 ) — A 19-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection to a murder that took place in the Monarch Meadows neighborhood of Riverton in mid-August.

Thomas Leelyn Rose, 19, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail early Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, on a first-degree felony murder charge.

Detectives believe Rose was involved in a fatal shooting that took the life of another 19-year-old, who has yet to be identified. The slain 19-year-old was found early Monday morning, Aug. 19, wearing a bulletproof vest and allegedly carrying a machete and a handgun.

According to court documents, the victim was shot about 10 times. Some of the gunshots had pierced the 19-year-old’s bulletproof vest, causing serious injuries. He was taken to a local area hospital where he later died.

Josh Lee, the director of communications for Riverton PD, said Rose was identified as a suspect through state-of-the-art technology, DNA testing, and extensive interviews by detectives.

“The investigation was able to determine with additional physical evidence that Rose was directly involved in the shooting of the victim,” said Lee in a press release. “The investigation is still ongoing involving other individuals who potentially obstructed the work of the detectives.”

Riverton Police Department at the time said an unidentified 20-year-old and 24-year-old were apprehended at an Orem as suspects but did not provide additional details on their involvement.

It is still unclear why the killed 19-year-old was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest or what led to the shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.