Family Members of Dylon Oothoudt Speak Out After His Death to Gun Violence | Lakeland News
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The Cass County Sheriff's Office has officially identified Dylan Ray Uthaut, a 17-year-old from Walker, as the victim of a homicide that took place in Cass Lake over the weekend. Following the tragic loss, the community came together to hold a candlelight vigil in his honor, bringing neighbors and friends to pay their respects. Local reporter Sydney Dix interviewed members of Dylan's family, who shared heartfelt memories of him as a gentle soul and an exceptional friend to everyone he met. They described him as a truly one-of-a-kind individual who possessed a deep love for his family, particularly his mother, whom he missed deeply after losing her at a young age alongside his father.
Dylan was a dedicated junior at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School, where he played basketball and wrestled while spending time with friends. Despite his youth and active life, he faced significant personal challenges due to the early loss of both parents, which left him confused and struggling with life's difficulties. His family noted that he often sought comfort in knowing he was with his mother after she passed away. The tragedy of his death extends beyond his immediate circle, as Dylan's uncle emphasized that gun violence affects everyone in the community, not just the families directly involved. He pointed out the alarming number of children playing with guns and knives, treating them as toys without understanding their lethal nature, which underscores the broader societal impact of such incidents.
The vigil held last night served a dual purpose: it was both a memorial for Dylan and a tribute to all others impacted by gun violence, including those who have lost loved ones or survived such attacks. While the family remembers Dylan for his boundless love for others, especially his nieces and nephews, they also acknowledge the obstacles he overcame before his life was cut short at just 17 years old. Before his death, Dylan would always end phone calls by saying "I love you" and reminding people to drive safely, reflecting his kind and caring personality. His family requests that anyone with information regarding the incident contact law enforcement rather than reaching out to them directly, as they are currently taking time to grieve their profound loss.
As of now, the circumstances surrounding Dylan's death remain under investigation, and no arrests have been made. Authorities, including Sheriff Brian Welk and the Leech Lake Tribal Police, are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information by contacting the Cass County Sheriff's Office or the tribal police department. The ongoing inquiry aims to bring justice for Dylan and provide answers to a grieving community. This tragic event has once again highlighted the urgent need to address gun violence in the region, prompting families and neighbors to unite in hope for safety and healing.
Read the full video transcript
The Cass County Sheriff's Office has
officially identified Dylan Ray Uthaut
of Walker as the victim of a homicide
that occurred in Cass Lake over the
weekend. The community gathered for a
candlelight vigil last night in honor of
the 17-year-old. Our reporter Sydney Dix
spoke to Uthaut's family members about
his life and about the gun violence that
ended it.
>> I could sit here and talk for hours
about them and it still wouldn't be
enough time for me to
explain how much of a good person he was
and
>> He was just a really good friend to
everybody. Like he just He was a really
gentle soul. He loved his family to the
heart, man. Like I'm really big on that.
He He He loved his family. Truly one of
a kind kid.
>> 17-year-old Dylan Ray Uthaut was in his
junior year at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
High School playing basketball,
wrestling, and hanging out with friends.
He lost his life on Saturday night.
>> That night time
middle of the night time uh he was
he was shot. His life was taken due to
gun violence. As Anishinaabe people, we
are all one. We're supposed to be one.
We're all We're all one.
And
when stuff like that happens, it's It
doesn't just affect our family. It It
affects the whole It affects everybody.
There's
plenty of little children that I see
that are playing with guns that that
shouldn't be
playing with knives thinking they're
cool and whatnot, but that's not what
they're used for.
>> That's another reason why we did that
vigil, too. It wasn't just for
remembrance of Dylan. It was for
everybody that was impacted by gun
violence that had a loved one taken or
that even survived gun violence.
>> Dylan's family and friends remember him
for the love he had for others, but also
for the challenges he faced in life.
>> He
loved every single body.
He especially loved his his niece and
nephew.
And
you know, he always tell me he missed
them and
but I know the one person he missed most
was our mother. There's few times where
we both cried together and
sat down and talked and he'd be like,
"What would what mom want me to do, you
know?" And
like there's no easy way to answer that
to your little brother, you know, like
it was really tough for him. Dylan lost
his his mother and father
at a really at a really young age.
That brought on a lot of a lot of
difficulties to him and a lot of
obstacles and he was really confused
with life, you know,
as any little kid would be. He longed
for his mom. He wanted his mom.
And that's the only comfort that we
really get is knowing that he's with his
mom.
>> The circumstances of Dylan's death are
still under investigation. The family
asks that any information regarding the
incident be reported to law enforcement
and not to family members themselves as
they are taking time to grieve.
>> Talking on the phone with him
before you hung up
I love you every time. You he would not
forget to say I love you before you hung
up. Before you leave the door, drive
safe. He was that type of kid.
>> Reporting from Walker, I'm Sydney Dick,
Lakeland News.
>> The investigation into Wauters' death is
ongoing and no arrests have been made at
this time. If you have any information
relevant to the incident, Sheriff Brian
Welk and Dylan's family are asking the
public to call the Cass County Sheriff's
Office or the Leech Lake Tribal Police.
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