Family of Patrick Hayes sues over fatal Summit County shooting

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 21, 2025, accuses the man who shot Hayes of attempting to hide his assets to avoid financial liability

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah – The family of Patrick L. Hayes, who was fatally shot in Summit County last September, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Greg Kyle DeBoer, alleging that DeBoer chased, provoked, and ultimately killed Hayes in a violent confrontation.

The lawsuit, filed in Utah’s Third Judicial District Court, names DeBoer and three other defendants and outlines claims of assault, battery, negligence, wrongful death, and fraudulent property transfers.

The allegations

According to the lawsuit, Hayes and DeBoer encountered each other on Interstate 80 on the night of September 25, 2024, and engaged in a series of escalating driving confrontations. The two eventually exited onto State Route 248, with DeBoer allegedly chasing Hayes to the Ross Creek entrance of Jordanelle State Park.

Once there, Hayes exited his vehicle, and DeBoer drew a .45-caliber handgun and shot him in the chest, the lawsuit claims. Hayes later died alone at the scene, and his body was discovered by a passerby the next morning.

The lawsuit further alleges that DeBoer fled the scene without calling for help and later buried his firearm in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Fraudulent transfers allegations

In addition to the wrongful death claims, the lawsuit accuses DeBoer of attempting to hide his assets to avoid financial liability. The legal filing states that in January 2025, months after the shooting, DeBoer transferred ownership of his Summit County property to his girlfriend, Jenny Lee Marzo, who then moved the property to two other individuals.

The Hayes family alleges that these transactions were fraudulent transfers intended to prevent them from recovering damages in a civil lawsuit.

The Estate of Patrick Hayes, represented by his son Christian P. Hayes, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The lawsuit argues that DeBoer acted recklessly and maliciously, and it demands that the court void the property transfers and hold the defendants financially responsible.

The case is now before the court, and DeBoer has been notified of the legal action. If he does not respond within the applicable time limits, a judgment could be entered against him.

This lawsuit comes after police determined that there was not enough evidence to charge DeBoer with homicide. DeBoer, of Browns Canyon, claimed he acted in self-defense.