KEARNS, Utah — A 45-year-old Tongan father has been charged with murder after his teenage son allegedly used his firearm during a shooting that killed one person and critically injured two others at a Tongan funeral in Utah.
Afuhia Masiu Manatau was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail following Monday’s shooting outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kearns.
He faces charges of first-degree felony murder and felony discharge of a firearm.
According to court documents, the violence began after Manatau was allegedly assaulted in the church car park, triggering a physical fight.
Witnesses told investigators that Manatau produced a firearm during the confrontation and that his 17-year-old son took the weapon from him.
The teenager allegedly shot one man twice before another man rushed towards him and struggled with him for control of the gun.
Investigators alleged that the second man gained control of the firearm and shot the teenager. That man was also shot during the confrontation, although authorities said it remained unclear how he sustained his gunshot wounds.
One of the victims died, while the 17-year-old and another injured man were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Manatau and his son allegedly left the church following the shooting, prompting a brief police pursuit that ended near 4100 West and 4700 South.
Officers found the wounded teenager inside the vehicle.
Court documents said another vehicle then arrived at the scene and its occupants allegedly attempted to confront Manatau and his son while claiming that the shooter was inside the car.
Monday’s shooting occurred during the funeral of 23-year-old Tongan man ʻOfaʻatangikivaha Angilau, who had been fatally shot at a Riverton petrol station the previous week.
Police had been asked to attend the funeral because authorities had received warnings that trouble could occur.
The latest violence follows another deadly shooting involving Tongans outside an LDS meetinghouse in Salt Lake City in January.
Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo Jr, 46, were killed outside the church on Redwood Road, while six others were injured.
Police have not indicated that the two incidents are connected.
The investigation into Monday’s fatal shooting remains ongoing, and the allegations against Manatau have yet to be proven in court.
