A memorial service at a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Salt Lake City on the evening of January 7, 2026, ended in deadly violence. Gunfire erupted in the parking lot at 660 N. Redwood Road, killing 38-year-old Sione Leonaitasi Vatuvei of Glendale and 46-year-old Vaea Tulikihihifo, and injuring six other men. Investigators say the shooting grew from a dispute among people attending the service and was not a random attack on the church; both congregations that use the meetinghouse are identified as Tongan.

Police believe multiple shooters were involved, several vehicles fled the scene, and there were indications of gang activity. Cooperation from witnesses has been limited, which has complicated the inquiry. One arrest has been announced: 32-year-old Ryan Daniel Toutai was charged with obstruction of justice after video evidence reportedly placed him at the scene and contradicted his initial statements. Authorities continue to seek additional suspects in the murders.

Vatuvei was born March 22, 1987, moved to Salt Lake City in 1995, and was a father who had married in March 2022. He was described as a writer, artist and musician who was active in men’s support groups and Utah’s Pacific community. Does anyone who attended the memorial service or who knew Sione have information that could help investigators?