Utah prosecutors have charged a man with murder in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred in January outside a church in Salt Lake City, according to court documents unsealed on Monday. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old John Vea Uasike Jr., was taken into custody in California on April 14 and faces six felony charges, including two counts of murder and multiple weapons violations, the Salt Lake County district attorney's office announced.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting took place on January 7 in the back parking lot of a church belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. Investigators stated that the gunfire erupted from a dispute between individuals who knew each other and were attending a funeral. All victims were adults, and police have emphasized that the violence was not motivated by animosity toward any particular faith.
The victims have been identified as Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, and Sione Vatuvei, 38. The church primarily serves Tongan congregants, and more than 25% of the U.S. Tongan population resides in Utah, which is the headquarters of the LDS church.
Witness Accounts
According to the charging information written by Salt Lake City police detective Steven Bigelow, witnesses saw Uasike retrieve a gun from a black sport utility vehicle and point it at a man's head. Others attempted to calm him down, and while they held up his hand with the gun, Uasike fired twice into the air, causing the crowd to duck and scatter. He then moved around the SUV and allegedly fired toward the church and funeral attendees, killing two people and striking others.
A witness reported that someone returned fire, and Uasike, who sustained a gunshot wound, was taken to a hospital before fleeing to California after receiving treatment.
Legal Proceedings
Utah prosecutors are now seeking Uasike's extradition from California. It remains unclear if Uasike has retained an attorney who can comment on the charges. In a related development, a federal grand jury indicted two other men in February on firearms charges connected to the same shooting, which also left six people injured.
