A case of jealousy? UPD arrests ex-con in Kearns shooting death

Unified Police have made an arrest in a fatal weekend shooting in Kearns, and they say the motive was unwarranted jealousy over a woman both the alleged shooter and victim knew.

UPD Lt. Justin Hoyal said ex-con Douglas Dwayne Evans, 31, allegedly thought his unidentified girlfriend and 49-year-old Theodore B. Kelbach had a romantic relationship. Detectives have determined that was not the case.

Kelbach was found shot to death Saturday inside his home at 5446 S. Nez Perce Drive (5080 West). One other adult in the house — police said that person was not Evans' girlfriend — was unhurt. A description of the suspect and his vehicle were obtained.

Following up on leads, UPD officers located Evans in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn in West Jordan about 10:30 p.m. Monday. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Salt Lake County jail just after midnight.

According to a probable cause statement, police also recovered a firearm believed to be similar to the one used to kill Kelbach.

Evans, who lists his home state as Mississippi, was being held without bail on suspicion of first-degree felony aggravated murder; aggravated burglary, also a first-degree felony; second-degree felony obstruction of justice; and possession of a weapon by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.

Detectives allege that on Saturday, Evans went to the back door of Kelbach's home and confronted him. The two argued briefly and Kelbach was shot. Evans then drove away from the scene, UPD said.

Third District Court records show a history of domestic violence-related complaints for Evans. He had pleaded guilty to first-degree felony disarming of a police officer, in return for prosecutors dismissing attempted aggravated murder, burglary and aggravated assault charges.

The guilty plea — which brought an 8-year prison term — came in connection with a Dec. 9, 2003, incident in which Evans wrestled away a West Valley City police officer's handgun. Officers were trying at the time to handcuff Evans for violating a protective order.

Evans fled with the officer's firearm, allegedly firing at his pursuers before being shot himself in the arm and subdued.

Utah Department of Corrections spokeswoman Brooke Adams said prison records showed that Evans completed serving his time on Feb. 2, 2013.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims