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Police Make First Arrest in Salt Lake City Church Shooting Probe on Obstruction Charge

Investigators cite phone and video evidence linking the suspect to the parking-lot altercation, with no homicide charges filed.

Overview

  • Ryan Daniel Toutai, 32, was arrested Tuesday and booked on suspicion of felony obstruction of justice in the Jan. 7 shooting case, and he is being held without bail.
  • Two men — Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46 — were killed and six others were injured during a memorial service at an LDS meetinghouse parking lot at 660 N. Redwood Road.
  • Police say a blue Los Angeles Dodgers hat recovered at the scene matches one Toutai wore in videos, and his phone allegedly contained a prior video of him handling a firearm recovered after the shooting.
  • Detectives report Toutai matched witness descriptions of a shooter, videos placed him with men later treated for gunshot wounds, and a loaded handgun was found under a car seat during his arrest; he has denied involvement.
  • This is the first arrest in the case, which police say is hindered by uncooperative witnesses, and authorities are seeking tips as the homicide investigation continues.