Mesquite

Former West Mesquite Football Player Aaron Lowe Fatally Shot in Salt Lake City

The incident comes less than a year after another former West Mesquite athlete playing for Utah was killed in an accidental shooting

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A University of Utah defensive back from Mesquite is dead after a shooting in Salt Lake City early Sunday morning.

Aaron Lowe, 21, a former West Mesquite High School football player, was shot and killed in Salt Lake City's Sugarhouse neighborhood Saturday, Salt Lake City police said.

Police said officers received a noise complaint about a house party in the 2200 block of South Broadmoor Street at about 10:30 p.m, just a few hours after the Utes beat Washington State 24-13.

Hours later, at approximately 12:20 a.m., police received another call from a person in the neighborhood regarding a fight involving a weapon, police said.

According to police, officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Police said officers also received a third call from a person who reported hearing gunshots.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Lowe and a second victim, a woman, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, police said.

Lowe's counselor at West Mesquite High School Jennifer Meek said it was always a treat to see Lowe shine on the football field, especially since she knew who he was beyond that. Before his 2019 graduation, she said she told Lowe what she tells all of her graduates.

"That no matter where they are they can always come back home," she said.

That would be one of their last conversations before Lowe left Mesquite for the University of Utah as a student-athlete.

Meek received a text Sunday morning that Lowe had been shot and killed at a house party in Utah just hours after a football game.

"I’m still just processing it. It’s still just devastating," she said. "He was going to do great things on and off the field. He was going to make it and he was going to change lives."

According to police, officers administered first aid to both individuals. Lowe was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other victim was transported to an area hospital and remained in critical condition Sunday, police said.

"We are devastated to hear about the passing of Aaron Lowe," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Aaron's family and friends, along with the other individual who was harmed in this tragic incident. Aaron was a great teammate, friend, brother and son and was loved by anyone who crossed paths with him. He will be deeply missed."

The deadly shooting came less than a year after Ty Jordan, Lowe's teammate at both Utah and West Mesquite, was killed in an accidental shooting in Denton.

Lowe switched his jersey from No. 2 to 22 to honor his friend after the 19-year-old died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen on Christmas night 2020.

Last month, Lowe was named the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, voted on by the team.

Ty Jordan, a former West Mesquite High football player and University of Utah standout has died, the college confirmed Saturday.

"Ty made everyone around him better," Lowe said after receiving the honor in August. "He made me better. My friendship with Ty means a lot because he was always pushing me to be my best. He never let me settle for less. I want to make sure his legacy lives on through me."

The Utes credited Lowe for persuading Jordan to play at Utah after decommitting from the school. Jordan was named the Pac-12 freshman of the year and led all freshmen nationally in rushing yards per game before he was killed.

Lowe appeared in 16 combined games on special teams his first two seasons and played in all four games this season.

"We are devastated by the loss of Aaron Lowe earlier this morning," Utah athletic director Mark Harland said in a statement. "Aaron was a terrific young man, a leader on our football team, and a rock of resiliency and courage. Our prayers are with Aaron's family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and loved him. We also express our deepest concern for the other individual who has been hospitalized as a result of this tragic incident."

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also tweeted his condolences to Lowe's family.

“I am deeply saddened by the shooting death of Aaron Lowe," Salt Lake City Police chief Mike Brown said. "This talented young man touched the lives of so many here in Salt Lake City and in Texas. The Salt Lake City Police Department grieves with and offers our condolences to the Lowe family and the University of Utah community. Our condolences also extend to the other person injured in this shooting. I hope for their quick recovery. These investigations are complex. Our detectives have been hard at work trying to identify the suspect or suspects in this case.”

After speaking to witnesses, police said photos or videos from those who attended the house party could be instrumental in solving this homicide.

According to police, no arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon.

NBC 5 staff and The Associated Press
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