Utah, US – Two men alleged to be members of the Tongan Crip Gang have been indicted on federal firearms charges following a mass shooting at a Latter‑day Saint meetinghouse in Salt Lake City, where two people were killed and several others injured.
Ryan Daniel Toutai, 32, known as “Lost One,” of Salt Lake City, and Fineeva Pomona Maka, 26, known as “Finloc,” of Millcreek, were both charged by a federal grand jury on Wednesday. Toutai faces one count of unlawful disposition of a firearm, while Maka is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges stem from the January 7 shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints meetinghouse in the Rose Park area. Police responding to multiple “shots fired” calls found several victims with gunshot wounds. Two men — Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46 — died from their injuries. Six others were transported to hospital.
Officers recovered .40‑caliber casings, 9mm casings, and a Ruger 9mm semi‑automatic pistol at the scene.
Phone evidence links defendants to weapon
According to federal charging documents, both Toutai and Maka had previously been photographed holding the Ruger pistol that was recovered after the shooting. Police seized Toutai’s phone under a search warrant and found numerous photos and videos showing him handling the firearm weeks earlier. The serial number on the gun in the images matched the Ruger found at the scene.
Investigators also found documentation of events hours before the shooting. Screenshots showed Maka holding a small black pistol consistent with the Ruger LC9. Maka, a multi‑convicted felon on parole at the time, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. His GPS ankle monitor data placed him at locations consistent with the evidence.
Both defendants appeared in videos claiming affiliation with the Tongan Crip Gang alongside other alleged members, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Defence attorney: prosecution strengthened by digital evidence
Defense attorney Nathan Evershed, commenting generally on cases involving digital evidence, said phone records, videos, and photos significantly strengthen prosecutions.
“These are the kinds of cases that they love to initially enact because it can put someone behind bars for a very long time,” he said. “And there’s a possibility when someone’s behind bars for a very long time, other people are more comfortable with cooperation with the police.”
Evershed added that although the current federal charges are not homicide‑related, they can still give prosecutors leverage in complex investigations where witness cooperation is limited.
No homicide arrests yet
Although the firearms charges represent significant progress in the investigation, police have not yet arrested anyone for the two homicides that occurred during the shooting.
Toutai was previously arrested last month for obstruction of justice, allegedly hindering the homicide investigation. State and federal prosecutions are expected to proceed separately but may involve the same investigators.
The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court on the new indictment next week.
