OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Almost a year has passed since Matthew Stewart opened fire on officers in his home at 3268 Jackson Avenue in Ogden on Jan.4. Several members of the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force were severely injured and Jared Francom, who served on the force, died.
Today Stewart’s home is in foreclosure and remains an eyesore. The windows are boarded up, the window on the front door is shattered and the gutters are rusty.
A document posted on the Stewart home reads, “This property is the subject of a current homicide investigation. Do not enter.” The sign threatens Weber County attorney's will prosecute violators.
“It’s just a sad reminder of what happened,” said Traci Bennett as she walks past the home with your young son in a stroller. The rundown home reminders of the horrible injuries and death inflicted only a few blocks from her home.
She says she won't forget Francom’s ultimate sacrifice, but she wants to move forward. “It would be awesome to have the home occupied by a family so that the neighborhood could be whole," she said.
ABC 4 set out across Ogden to ask what other locals think should happen to the eyesore.
“I’d probably just tear it down and sell the land to someone who wants to buy it,” said Randy Ryerse.
“Do something with it. Don’t let it be a pile in the street that no one wants to look at,” said Jesse Parkin.
“If someone wants to buy it, improve its condition that would be nice,” said Jennifer Fryer.
Matthew Stewart's mother, Sonja Stewart hopes to gain access to the home any day. Her plan is to fix it up and either sale or rent it out, but ABC 4 learned this is not going to happen.
The Weber County Attorney’s office is holding the home as evidence until the end of Stewart’s trial, which could take years, so for now the eyesore will remain.
