Two 19-year-olds have been arrested on suspicion of obstructing justice following the deadly shooting outside a funeral in Kearns, Utah, that killed one Tongan twin and left his brother critically injured.
Heneli Suli Grall was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of second-degree felony obstruction of justice after investigators alleged that he removed the firearm used in the killing from the scene.
A second man, Tevita Siope Tonga Kofe, was arrested on Wednesday, August 26, on an obstruction charge. Investigators alleged that Kofe helped the 17-year-old shooting suspect enter a vehicle so he could flee.
The arrests are the latest development in the August 17 shooting that killed 18-year-old Vilisoni “Soni” Angilau and critically injured his twin brother, Vita Angilau.
As previously reported by Kaniva News, the twins had recently graduated from high school and were visiting Utah from Seattle to attend a relative’s funeral at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Weapon allegedly removed
According to probable-cause statements reported by ABC4, detectives with the Unified Police Authority believe Grall took the firearm used in the killing from the crime scene.
Video footage provided by a funeral attendee reportedly captured part of the physical confrontation and the shooting.
Detectives said they identified the 17-year-old suspect, his father, Afuhia Masiu Manatau, and Vilisoni in the footage. However, they were initially unable to identify two men seen running from the scene behind the teenage suspect.
Investigators later showed the video to members of a family who attended the funeral. They allegedly identified the two men as Grall and Kofe.
Police said the footage appeared to show Grall carrying a gun in his right hand before placing it near his waistband. Investigators allege that this was the firearm removed from the scene.
Another witness reportedly told detectives that Kofe helped the teenage suspect enter a black minivan so he could escape.
The minivan, allegedly driven by Manatau, was stopped following a brief police pursuit near the church shortly after the shooting, according to FOX 13.
Father accused of supplying gun
Police alleged that the shooting began after the unidentified 17-year-old became involved in a physical confrontation with the Angilau brothers.
Investigators accused Manatau of handing a firearm to his teenage son, who then allegedly shot the twins.
Manatau was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and felony discharge of a firearm. Police have not publicly identified the teenager because he is a minor.
Vilisoni died from his injuries, while Vita was admitted to hospital in critical condition and is continuing his recovery.
The allegations against Grall, Kofe, Manatau and the teenage suspect have not been proven in court.
