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Police: Man arrested after shoving his 80-year-old grandfather, killing him

Posted at 4:55 PM, Jun 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-13 11:46:17-04

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -An 80-year-old man is dead and his grandson is in custody after a violent fight in West Valley City Tuesday morning.

West Valley City Police say Jason Northrup, 35, pushed his grandfather, Red Northrup, 80, causing him to fall and hit his head.

Red was rushed to the hospital where he passed away Tuesday afternoon, leaving a large hole in the heart of his family, and the West Valley neighborhood where he's lived for decades.

Fearing retaliation, a close friend and neighbor didn't want to be identified but did want to share some of her good memories of Red Northrup.

"Red was a great neighbor. Always stopped and talked to me when I was out working in my yard. He would tell me I shouldn’t work so hard," said the neighbor.

However, she says things changed when his grandson Jason moved in a few months ago.

"There has been a problem since the grandson has been over there. There have been cars in and out of there," said Northrup's neighbor.

His neighbor started hearing arguments coming from the home, and there were several times where the police were called.

Jason's uncle says he was known to pick fights with the family.

"He sucker punched me. He pushed me like he did my dad six times trying to knock me down," said his uncle.

Police said that's what happened Tuesday morning.

During an argument, police say Jason pushed his grandpa, Red, who fell and hit his head. He was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive.

"No way was he ready to die yet," said Jason's uncle.

"Just a great guy. It’s a big loss for the neighborhood. He didn’t deserve any of this. I hope his grandson gets what he deserves for doing it to him," says Northrup's neighbor.

The neighbor told Fox13 that Red had recently told his grandson to move out of the house, and that might have been what sparked the argument.

West Valley Police has not released the official charges yet, but say Jason Northrup is being held at the Salt Lake County Jail.