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Utah defensive back Aaron Lowe fatally shot at party

SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah defensive back Aaron Lowe was fatally shot early Sunday at a house party in Salt Lake City, authorities said. He was 21.

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Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said Lowe, a sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, died at the party, which was held in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

A second person was taken to an area hospital, the newspaper reported. The condition of the adult woman was unknown.

Lowe’s death is being investigated as a homicide,

“I am deeply saddened by the shooting death of Aaron Lowe,” Brown said in a statement. “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.”

Officers believe the shooting occurred after uninvited guests to the party were asked to leave the home, KTVX reported.

Lowe was an invited guest at a house party, police spokesperson Brent Weisberg said. Lowe died at the scene.

“The people who were hosting the party wanted it to be a relatively small party,” Weisberg said at a news conference Sunday morning. “The individuals who showed up were not invited guests. They were asked to leave and that is when this fight occurred.”

Lowe was in his third season with the Utes and was the inaugural recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, according to KUTV. The award was created in honor of former Utah player Ty Jordan, who was killed in December 2020 after an accidental shooting, the television station reported.

Before the season, Lowe had changed his jersey number to Jordan’s No. 22 to honor his friend, KSTU reported. Jordan and Lowe were high school teammates in Mesquite, according to ESPN.

“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.”

Utes starting quarterback Cameron Rising tweeted, “Rest in Peace A Lowe. Love you brother.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also tweeted his condolences.

“Our prayers are with his family at this terribly difficult time.”