A Utah man is accused of fatally shooting a teenage girl he thought she and her companion were "stalking" him.
Michael Edward Hess-Witacki, 23, was inside a black truck along with his three companions---Ethan Andrew Galloway, 23; Aldric S. Felipe, 21; and Matthew D. Sorber-Petri, 22---when the shooting incident happened.
Hess-Witacki fired 12 rounds into a red truck occupied by a 17-year-old girl and her 18-year-old friend, causing the truck to lose control and crash through a fence. The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, according to KSL TV.
Why Did He Shoot the Teenagers?
The 17-year-old and her friend were allegedly driving in an area northwest of Cedar City and were being followed by a black pickup truck occupied by Hess-Witacki and his companions. At around 10:42 p.m., the truck stopped next to the teens' vehicle, and someone inside began opening fire. The black truck then sped away.
The 18-year-old passenger sustained a shrapnel injury to her leg but was able to call police. First responders attempted to administer lifesaving care to the 17-year-old driver but were unable to save her.
In an interview with authorities, the passenger said they first encountered the black truck at a townhouse complex at 1645 N. 3200 West. A court filing noted that the girls were at the complex for unrelated reasons, per The Sacramento Bee.
Police officers searched the townhouse complex and found the black truck. They later identified Hess-Witacki as the registered owner.
Apologizing to the Girl's Parents
Authorities promptly arrested Hess-Witacki and Galloway. They are now facing charges of second-degree murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance. Their two companions, Felipe and Sorber-Petri, were charged with obstruction of justice and being a restricted person in the transaction of a firearm.
Hess-Witacki wrote an apology letter addressed to the parents of the 17-year-old girl, where he said he shot at the teenagers because he thought they were stalking them.
"Their justification for chasing the victim's vehicle was they believed they had previously observed the victim's vehicle in their neighborhood and presumed the occupants of the victim's vehicle were (stalking) them," the affidavit stated, as reported by The Independent.
