Man arrested after alleged murder of family member in American Fork

AMERICAN FORK, Utah — A man was arrested after allegedly murdering a family member in “self-defense.”

Kevin Stanley Ellis, 33, was arrested on suspicion of murder (a first-degree felony), possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person (a third-degree felony) and possession of a controlled substance (a Class A misdemeanor), the affidavit states.

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On Friday, American Fork police received a call about a gunshot in a residence. Shortly afterward, police received a second, more specific call from a woman who reported that a man had been shot.

Police arrived quickly and asked those inside, including the woman, “Who had the gun?” Ellis responded, “I did,” the affidavit states.

Police said when they entered the home they saw a man with a knife who appeared to have been shot multiple times in the back and chest. They attempted to administer first aid, but when medical personnel arrived the man was found to be dead.

“The deceased man was identified by persons in the home as a known family member,” the affidavit states.

Police also reported finding several cartridge cases in the living room.

Investigators arrived and began searching the crime scene with a secured search warrant. They reportedly found a handgun on the counter with three rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber, with ammunition matching the shell casings found at the crime scene.

In an upstairs bedroom, investigators found clothing, a wallet and a driver’s license believed to belong to Ellis. In addition to the wallet, police found a rolled-up dollar bill and a “white powdery substance” that tested positive for cocaine in a field test.

Police spoke to a family member who described the victim’s relationship and events leading up to the alleged murder, including reported aggression and substance abuse.

Police also spoke to Ellis, who said he was “fearful for his life” and shot the victim in self-defense.

Ellis was represented by an attorney and declined to answer further questions.

However, the attorney told police the victim was an “armed intruder” who “surprised” the residents of the home. The attorney also said the victim was agitated.

Ellis was booked into the Utah County Jail on the above charges and police said he is being held without bail.

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