NORTH OGDEN, UTAH — A horrifying case of sibling violence has left a Utah community reeling after a Long Beach man drove hundreds of miles across state lines to kill his own brother, set the family home on fire, and engage police in a deadly shootout.
Authorities say 66-year-old Jeffrey Roberts embarked on a calculated and deadly mission, arming himself with a handgun, a shotgun, and 23 fully loaded magazines before leaving his Long Beach, California home. His destination: the quiet residential neighborhood where his brother, Scott Roberts, lived with his wife near Salt Lake City.
Doorbell Camera Captures Chilling Moment
A doorbell security camera captured Jeffrey’s arrival. In the footage, Scott answers the door, surprised to see his brother.
“What is up — what are you doing?” Scott asks.
“Came by to see Mom,” Jeffrey replies.
Within seconds, the situation turns deadly. Jeffrey pulls a handgun and fires multiple rounds, striking his brother.
Neighbors reported hearing a series of gunshots before rushing outside.
“I was sitting on the couch watching TV when I heard shots,” one neighbor told reporters. “I jumped up and ran out on my deck and heard three more shots. That’s when I called 911.”
House Set Ablaze Before Police Arrive
Moments later, Jeffrey is seen on video walking back to his car, retrieving a shotgun and a duffel bag filled with ammunition, and re-entering the house. Investigators say he then used road flares to ignite a fire, setting the home ablaze before officers arrived.
Scott’s wife, though seriously wounded, managed to escape and is recovering in the hospital.
Gun Battle with Police
When police from North Ogden arrived, they were met with gunfire. Body-worn camera footage released by the department shows officers taking cover and returning fire as bullets struck the walls and windows of neighboring houses.
“There was quite a bit of gunfire — this was a dangerous, chaotic scene,” said North Ogden Police Chief Dirk Quinney.
Jeffrey Roberts was ultimately shot and killed outside the burning home. Firefighters rushed in to extinguish the flames, but the house was heavily damaged. Scott Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene.
Community and Family in Shock
Friends and neighbors in Long Beach gathered for an estate sale at Jeffrey’s former home, expressing disbelief.
“This is beyond anything we could imagine,” said one longtime friend. “Family issues pushed him to the edge — but no one thought it would come to this.”
Police investigators believe the attack stemmed from a long-standing family dispute that escalated into violence. They continue to investigate Jeffrey’s motives and whether the attack was premeditated.
Watch the Disturbing Doorbell Footage Here:
This case has reignited discussions about family estrangement, mental health, and gun violence in America. For residents of this quiet Utah neighborhood, the events of April 27 remain a nightmarish reminder of how private conflicts can erupt into public tragedy.
