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Second Arrest in Salt Lake Church Shooting as First Suspect Appears in Court

Evidence centers on a traced SUV, with limited witness cooperation slowing the homicide probe.

Overview

  • Police arrested Ezekiel Isaiah Tai, 22, on suspicion of obstructing a homicide investigation tied to the Jan. 7 church parking lot shooting.
  • Detectives say a GMC Yukon XL left the scene, dropped victims at University of Utah Hospital, and was later found at a West Jordan home where Tai matched the driver description.
  • A booking affidavit states Tai was seen cleaning the SUV with chemicals and that its license plates and OnStar device had been removed and recovered in the garage.
  • Earlier arrestee Ryan Daniel Toutai, 32, faced an obstruction charge and appeared in court Friday, with filings citing a recovered Dodgers hat, videos showing him with a gun similar to one found at the scene, and a loaded handgun seized at his arrest.
  • Two men—Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46—were killed and six others wounded during a funeral at the LDS meetinghouse, and no one has been charged as a gunman as detectives report poor witness cooperation.