A fundraiser has raised more than US$27,000 for a Tongan family struck by two shootings: one cousin was killed, an 18-year-old twin was fatally shot while attending his funeral, and the surviving twin remains critically injured in hospital.
Vilisoni “Soni” Angilau was fatally shot outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kearns, Utah, on Monday, while his twin brother, Vita Angilau, remains in critical condition.
The brothers had travelled from Seattle to Utah to attend the funeral of their 23-year-old cousin, ʻOfaʻatangikivaha Angilau, who was shot dead at a Riverton petrol station on 7 August.
A GoFundMe campaign established for the Angilau family had raised US$27,914 from 311 donations by Friday, approaching its US$30,000 target.
The money will help cover Soni’s funeral, Vita’s medical treatment and the family’s travel expenses while they remain away from home.
“The twins had just graduated from high school, making this loss and crisis even more heartbreaking,” fundraiser organiser Lacie Roth said.
The brothers had recently graduated from Highline High School and were active members of its Pirates football team. They were also part of the Liberty Rugby Club community.
Police said the shooting occurred during a confrontation between members of two families outside the church at about 11.25am.
Witnesses told investigators that Afuhia Masiu “Rocky” Manatau was assaulted in the church car park, leading to a physical fight. During the confrontation, Manatau allegedly pulled out a handgun, which his 17-year-old son then took from him.
Investigators allege the teenager shot the Angilau twins before losing possession of the weapon and being shot himself. He also remained in critical condition following the confrontation.
Manatau, 45, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he faces charges of first-degree felony murder and felony discharge of a firearm. The allegations against him have not yet been proved in court.
