Ogden Community Mourns 16-Year-Old Student Killed in Shooting Near Ben Lomond High School
OGDEN, Utah — The city of Ogden is reeling from heartbreak following the tragic death of 16-year-old Mason Caballero, a Ben Lomond High School student who was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon near the school’s campus. The devastating incident has shaken students, educators, and families across the Ogden School District, prompting an outpouring of grief and a renewed plea for peace and safety among local youth.
According to the Ogden Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting near 5th Street and Gramercy Avenue at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday. When first responders arrived, they learned that Caballero, suffering from a gunshot wound, had managed to make his way to Ben Lomond High School in search of help.
Although the school day had officially ended at 2:35 p.m., school resource officers and staff immediately rushed to render aid upon seeing the injured teen approach the building. They provided life-saving measures until emergency medical crews arrived on scene. Caballero was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Authorities confirmed that the shooting did not occur on school property, and that there was no active threat to students or staff following the incident. The area surrounding Ben Lomond High, however, was temporarily placed under police lockdown as investigators secured the scene and searched for potential evidence.
In a heartfelt statement released Tuesday evening, Principal Velden Wardle expressed the school community’s profound sorrow at the loss of one of their own.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that the student has passed away as a result of their injuries,” Wardle wrote. “Out of respect for the student’s family and because this remains an active police investigation, we are unable to release additional details at this time.”
The Ogden School District clarified that this tragedy is not related to the recent hoax bomb threat that disrupted Ben Lomond High the previous week, emphasizing that Tuesday’s event was an isolated act of violence.
As a precaution, extracurricular activities at Ben Lomond High were canceled for the day, and nearby schools took safety measures while the situation unfolded. Highland Junior High School entered a “secure” protocol—locking exterior doors and keeping students indoors—until police confirmed the area was safe. Students were released under law enforcement supervision around 3:10 p.m. Similarly, East Ridge Elementary School, which had dismissed at 2:30 p.m., briefly entered secure status to protect staff and students still inside.
In a joint message to district families, Principal Wardle and Superintendent Luke Rasmussen extended their condolences to Caballero’s loved ones and the broader community.
“Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who are grieving this devastating loss,” they wrote. “We mourn together as a school community. Law enforcement has verified that there was never an active threat to students or staff on our campus. Ben Lomond High School remains a safe and supportive place for all students.”
To help students and staff process the tragedy, the district announced that grief counselors and trained mental health professionals will be available at Ben Lomond High School throughout the week. Administrators have encouraged anyone struggling with the loss to seek support and to look out for one another during this difficult time.
The Ogden Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not released any suspect descriptions or motive. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together what led to the deadly encounter.
Officials are urging anyone with information to contact the Ogden Police Department at 801-629-8221 or submit tips anonymously through Weber County Crime Stoppers.
The tragic death of Mason Caballero marks yet another painful reminder of the toll that youth violence takes on communities. Vigils and memorial tributes are already being planned by friends and classmates to honor Mason’s memory—a young life cut far too short, leaving behind a school and city united in grief and resolve for change.
