Two Men Indicted on Federal Firearm Charges in Utah Church Shooting
A federal grand jury has indicted two men on firearms charges in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred last month in a church parking lot in Salt Lake City, Utah. The incident resulted in two fatalities and six injuries, according to authorities.
Details of the Indictment and Charges
The indictment, which was unsealed on Friday, charges 32-year-old Ryan Toutai with unlawful disposition of a firearm and 26-year-old Fineeva Maka with felon in possession of a firearm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah announced the charges, noting that both men are alleged to be gang members.
Investigators utilized cellphone videos, photographs, and GPS ankle monitor evidence to link the two men to a pistol recovered from the January 7 shooting. The violence erupted in the back parking lot of a place of worship for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church.
Background of the Shooting and Investigation
The shooting is believed to have stemmed from a dispute among individuals who knew each other and were attending a funeral at the time. All victims were adults, and no one has yet been charged in the actual killings, as the investigation continues.
The church primarily serves Tongan congregants, with its website indicating that LDS missionaries introduced their faith to Tonga in the 1890s. More than 25% of the U.S. Tongan population resides in Utah, which is the headquarters of the church.
Legal Proceedings and Previous Arrests
Toutai and Maka are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. It remains unclear if they have legal representation, as The Associated Press could not immediately reach them for comment. The federal public defender's office also could not be contacted.
In a related development, police previously arrested Toutai on a charge of felony obstruction of justice in this case. He was in jail as of Saturday. A third man was also arrested on the same charge, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
This case underscores the serious implications of firearm-related crimes in community settings, particularly in places of worship, and the federal efforts to address such violence through legal channels.
