A 23-year-old man arrested in Las Vegas has been extradited to Utah in the May killing of James Randell Witten.
WEST POINT, Utah — A 71-year-old Air Force veteran was shot and killed outside his Davis County home while taking out the trash, authorities said, in a case investigators have described as an apparent random attack.
Axel Eduardo Chavez, 23, has been charged in the killing of James Randell Witten, who was found dead May 30 outside his home near 2000 West and 300 North in West Point. The Davis County Sheriff’s Office said Chavez was arrested June 16 in Las Vegas after a weeks-long search tied to a maroon Honda Civic seen leaving the area. Officials said they have found no known connection between Chavez and Witten.
Witten had stepped outside in the early evening when gunfire broke through the quiet neighborhood, according to investigators and witnesses. Neighbor Sara Herzog said she heard “pop, pop, pop” before looking outside and seeing police move into the area. Officers later found Witten dead on his porch. His wife, Maria Witten, said the shooting made no sense to the family. “They killed an old man who was doing no harm,” she said.
Investigators said the shooting happened around 6:25 p.m. as daylight remained in the neighborhood, about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City. Witnesses reported seeing a maroon car leave the area around the time of the gunfire. Authorities later identified the vehicle as a Honda Civic and said it was found as part of the investigation. Sheriff’s officials said early evidence led them to believe the suspect may have been from out of state, with detectives focusing on Las Vegas soon after the killing.
Chavez was located and arrested by Las Vegas police on June 16, authorities said. He was later extradited to Utah and booked into a Utah jail at 8 p.m. Monday. Along with murder, Chavez faces charges of felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. Officials said Chavez is believed to be originally from El Salvador and had been living in the Los Angeles area. His connection to Las Vegas has not been publicly explained.
Davis County Sheriff Kelly Sparks praised investigators after the arrest, saying their work kept the case moving forward. Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Taylor West said Witten’s family was relieved that an arrest had been made but understood the case was not finished. Authorities said they were still working to determine a motive and whether anyone else was involved in the shooting.
Family members and neighbors described Witten as a veteran, neighbor and outdoorsman. His obituary said he served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, including service in Vietnam. It said he enjoyed hiking, biking, camping, writing short stories, serving his community and traveling through the countryside in his RV. He especially enjoyed camping with neighbors who pushed him toward new adventures.
The investigation remains active, and officials have not announced a motive. Chavez is now in Utah custody as the case moves forward in Davis County court.