Four charged in Kearns funeral gunfight that left two dead
Four individuals were indicted for their roles in a funeral altercation in Kearns that resulted in two fatalities and several injuries.
Authorities say a long-standing feud between two families ignited at a Kearns funeral, culminating in a gunfight that claimed the lives of Vita Angilau and Vilsoni Aguilar. The incident involved 17-year-old Taitusi Kai Manatau, who was charged as an adult, his father Afuhia Masiu Manatau, who allegedly supplied the weapon, and two other men, Tevita Siope Tonga Kofe and Heneli Suli Grall, each facing murder, multiple firearm charges and obstruction of justice.
Both Manatuas also face additional felonies, including illegal gun possession and aggravated assault. Witnesses described a chaotic struggle over the handgun, during which several participants were shot, with Taitusi and others sustaining critical injuries. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill condemned the violence and thanked the Unified Police Department for its work on the case.
Why it matters
The case highlights escalating family feuds and gun violence risks in community gathering places.
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