A 21-year-old man has been arrested in California in connection with the May 30 shooting death of 71-year-old James Witten, according to the Davis County Sheriff's Office. Abner Aroldo Avila faces one count of murder following an investigation into the homicide that occurred while Witten was sitting on his porch in West Point.
Details of the Arrest
The Davis County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Avila on July 16, noting that the apprehension was the result of a continued investigation. Law enforcement officials stated that the arrest was made possible through the assistance of law enforcement partners in California. Avila is currently being held in California while authorities process his extradition to Utah.
Prior Suspect Apprehension
The arrest of Avila follows the earlier apprehension of a second suspect linked to the same investigation. On June 16, Axel Eduardo Chavez Marroquin was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in connection with the homicide of Witten. Both suspects were identified by the Davis County Sheriff's Office as being involved in the investigation regarding the May 30 incident.
Victim and Incident Details
The homicide investigation centers on the death of James Witten, who was 71 years old at the time of the incident. According to the Davis County Sheriff's Office, the shooting occurred on May 30, 2026, while Witten was sitting on his porch. The Davis County Attorney's Office has issued an arrest warrant charging Avila with one count of murder in relation to this death.
Ongoing Investigation Status
The Davis County Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation remains active and indicated that no additional information would be released at this time. The agency expressed appreciation for the various agencies that supported the investigation and assisted in the safe location and apprehension of both suspects involved in the case.
