Utah authorities have filed murder charges against a California man in connection with a fatal January shooting at a Salt Lake City church that claimed two lives during a funeral service, according to court records made public Monday.
John Vea Uasike Jr., 32, was arrested April 14 on six felony counts, including two murder charges and firearms violations, the Salt Lake County district attorney’s office announced.
An attorney representing Uasike could not be identified. The deadly incident occurred January 7 in the rear parking area of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facility.
Authorities determined the violence stemmed from a confrontation among acquaintances who had gathered for a funeral service. Officials previously stated the attack appeared unrelated to religious hatred, noting all victims were adults.
The congregation primarily serves members of Tongan heritage, according to the church’s website. LDS missionaries first introduced their religion to Tonga, a South Pacific island nation, during the 1890s. Utah now houses over 25% of America’s Tongan community, near the church’s main headquarters.
The fatal victims were identified as Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, and Sione Vatuvei, 38.
Court documents reveal eyewitnesses observed Uasike retrieving a firearm from a dark SUV before aiming it at another person’s head, according to newly released charging papers.
Bystanders attempted to defuse the situation and restrained Uasike’s gun hand, but he discharged two rounds skyward, causing people to take cover and flee, Salt Lake City detective Steven Bigelow stated in the court filing.
Uasike then moved around the vehicle and allegedly opened fire toward the church building and mourners, fatally wounding two individuals and injuring others, Bigelow documented.
One witness reported someone shot back at Uasike, who sustained a gunshot injury and received hospital treatment before traveling to California, Bigelow noted.
A federal grand jury separately indicted two additional men in February on gun-related charges connected to the shooting incident, which wounded six other people.
