SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A Utah teenager who admitted to fatally shooting his 14-year-old stepbrother was sentenced to incarceration this week, bringing an emotional end to a months-long legal case that has left a blended family shattered.

Haegan Sagers, now 17, received a sentence of two to 15 years in a combination of juvenile detention and state prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the September 2024 shooting death of Malaki Porter. Sagers was initially charged with murder as an adult, but eventually admitted guilt to the lesser charge following negotiations with prosecutors.

The shooting took place in a Salt Lake City home where Porter lived with his mother, Stormi Hass, and Sagers’s father. Hass and her son had become part of the household as the family blended, according to court records.

During the sentencing hearing on July 15, Hass described the family’s commitment to teaching both boys about firearms and the need for gun safety. She said that the values of responsible gun use had been instilled in both her son and stepson, making the incident even more difficult to comprehend.

Through tears, Hass expressed that the tragedy had cost her both boys, stating that not only did she lose her youngest child, but the consequences for Sagers would remove him from the family as well. She insisted that Sagers should face the effects of his actions.

Prosecutors maintained that Porter’s killing was not a planned act; however, they presented evidence that Sagers had allegedly spoken of wanting to harm his stepbrother in the weeks before the incident. According to investigators cited in court, Sagers harbored violent tendencies and had expressed grievances toward Porter.

The events leading up to the fatal shooting unfolded on September 22, 2024. Initially, Sagers told authorities that Porter had approached him with the gun and it discharged accidentally during a struggle. However, as the investigation progressed, Sagers altered his account, eventually stating he had managed to take the firearm from Porter and, believing he was in danger, deliberately pointed and fired at Porter’s left shoulder. He contended that he wanted to hurt Porter, but not to end his life.

In court, Sagers apologized for his actions, expressing deep regret for the pain he had caused. He referred to Porter as both a great friend and the best little brother, acknowledging the unresolved conflicts between them and lamenting that the tragedy occurred instead of finding a peaceful resolution.

The sentencing marks the closing of a painful chapter for the family, with Hass saying she has lost two sons as a result of the shooting. Sagers will spend the next several years in the custody of youth and adult corrections. The family, once united under one roof, now faces the challenge of moving forward in the aftermath of an irreversible loss.