17-year-old Kaylee Dutton was heading near her abuser’s home when strangers opened fire in a tragic case of misidentification

July 25, 2025: Cedar City, Utah — A 17-year-old high school senior, Kaylee Dutton, was shot and killed by strangers while driving near the residence of a man who had been charged with sexually abusing her. The men involved falsely believed she was stalking them, though she was in the area for unrelated reasons.

Abuse Revealed, Justice Pursued

Earlier in 2024, Kaylee reported being sexually abused by 27-year-old Justin Driffill, who admitted to misconduct after she turned 16. Driffill pleaded guilty to charges related to the case earlier this year and was not involved in Kaylee’s shooting.

Fatal Mistake on the Road

On a Friday night in mid‑January, Kaylee and a friend were driving near the neighborhood of her former abuser. Two men driving nearby assumed Kaylee’s vehicle was stalking them. One of the men pulled alongside and opened fire—striking Kaylee multiple times. Her friend survived with serious injuries, while Dutton was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Perpetrators Face Murder Charges

Ethan Galloway and Michael Hess‑Witucki, who admitted to pulling onto Dutton’s driveway and firing up to a dozen shots, were charged with murder, firearm discharges, and obstruction of justice. Two roommates also faced charges relating to accessory activity and weapon possession.

Mother Speaks Out

Kaylee’s mother emphasized that her daughter’s presence near the location was tied to processing trauma and confronting her past—not malicious intent. She urged the public: survivors shouldn’t be criminalized for being where their abuser once lived.

Warning Signs: Trauma + Misperception

This tragedy underscores:

How survivors navigating trauma can be misjudged in vulnerable moments.

The dangers of civilians taking justice into their own hands based on assumptions.

Broader societal failure to support abuse survivors—and the fatal consequences that can result.

Final Thoughts

Kaylee Dutton’s life ended not because of wrongdoing, but because of assumption—one that turned fatal. Her death serves as a painful reminder of how trauma, presence, and public misinterpretation can collide with devastating outcomes.