Salt Lake City law enforcement officials are grappling with the case of a church parking lot shooting that left two dead and six injured. Ryan Daniel Toutai, 32, has been arrested after investigators say he hindered their inquiry. Toutai is now facing a second-degree felony obstruction of justice charge, arising from a violent disruption during what should have been a somber funeral service on January 7th at a local LDS Church.
The incident took place at the church located at 660 N. Redwood Road just after dusk, and it has since been confirmed that Sione Vatuvei, 38, of Glendale, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, succumbed to gun violence. Toutai initially claimed to police that he was an uninvolved bystander and affirmed his arrival via rideshare. During subsequent follow-up, detectives produced evidence that directly contradicted his statement, drawing from both witness descriptions and incriminating video footage.
Investigators recovered a handgun, multiple shell casings, and a blue L.A. Dodgers baseball cap from the scene. According to KSL, Toutai was interviewed the night of the incident and had been identified in cellphone video footage collected by detectives sporting a Dodgers hat similar to the one found at the scene. Furthermore, according to details in a booking affidavit, a video was found on Toutai's phone that showed him handling the firearm recovered at the scene roughly one month before the shooting.
While Toutai has continued to deny involvement, the evidence cited by police includes additional video footage implying Toutai's presence in a vehicle at the church parking lot shortly before the events unfolded. Despite his claims, according to ABC4, law enforcement insists that Toutai closely matched the suspect description given by multiple witnesses and was identified as being part of the altercation that occurred in the parking lot. Charging documents also note that Toutai "has reported involvement" with a local street gang and was attired in what police described as "gang colors" during the event.
As detectives continue their efforts, they’re stonewalled by a lack of cooperation from various individuals connected to the case. Salt Lake City police are urging anyone with information to come forward, offering an anonymous tip submission option. This arrest, as confirmed by a FOX 13 News post, marks the first in a series of steps towards uncovering the full narrative of that night’s events and is presented while noting that all arrested individuals, Toutai included, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
