Salt Lake homicide victim identified, Family found fleeing crime scene hours later

On Monday, Salt Lake City Chief of Police Mike Brown spoke to the community about their concerns regarding the surge in gun violence in and around Market Street.

According to Chief Brown, the agency responded to four incidents involving firearms over the weekend, specifically between Saturday, June 3 and midnight Monday, June 5. These incidents occurred along Market Street and at a nearby parking lot, with two of them potentially being related.

In the early hours of Saturday, June 3, near 60 West Market Street, a 19-year-old man was arrested after firing shots over the heads of Salt Lake City police officers. This was the first incident that occurred at around 3:30 a.m. There were no reported injuries among those involved.

According to Brown, the act of openly shooting in a crowded space not only puts innocent lives in danger but also presents an immediate threat to police officers due to the reckless disregard of the perpetrator.

According to sources, detectives from the department are collaborating with prosecutors to investigate whether any charges related to firearms will be pressed in connection with the case.

Early Sunday morning at around 4 a.m., several 911 calls were made to notify SLCPD dispatchers of the second firearm-involved incident of the weekend.

According to Chief Brown, officers promptly arrived at the scene and discovered a 22-year-old male on the ground of the parking lot opposite Market Street, who had sustained a gunshot wound.

Halapaini Latu Moala has been identified as the victim who tragically passed away on the scene despite the combined efforts of officers, paramedics, and firefighters.

According to Brown, the homicide detectives have been tirelessly working on the case, but they have encountered obstacles. According to reports, authorities are facing a lack of cooperation from witnesses of the shooting.

The speaker emphasized that there are individuals who possess knowledge of the shooter’s identity but are choosing not to disclose it. This could be due to fear or a deliberate attempt to obstruct the case.

According to Chief Brown, the agency plans to pursue these individuals and charge them with obstruction of justice.

According to reports, at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night, Salt Lake police officers who were patrolling the vicinity of 300 South Main Street, heard what appeared to be another round of gunshots.

Upon conducting a more thorough examination, it was observed that a vehicle emerged from the parking area adjacent to Market Street.

During a routine traffic stop, officers discovered a shotgun and two spent bullet shells in the vehicle.

According to Brown, some individuals present in the vehicle were relatives of the 22-year-old victim of the homicide.

SLCPD detectives are collaborating with state prosecutors and federal partners to ascertain the suitable charges in this instance.

Just after midnight on Monday morning, the fourth incident occurred along 300 South Main Street.

According to Brown, a 27-year-old man was discovered by officers with a gunshot wound to his hand.

On Monday afternoon, two suspects who fled the area in a car were being searched for by Salt Lake City police following the most recent shooting.

The public is urged to contact SLCPD at (801) 799-3000 with any further details regarding the incidents or the suspects who are still at large.

According to Chief Brown, the agency is taking all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of individuals who reside, work, or frequent the vicinity of 60 West Market Street.

However, he clarified that the recent gun violence incidents over the weekend were not arbitrary and seemed to be confined to specific incidents.

According to the chief’s statement, they have already expanded their presence in the vicinity of 60 West Market Street and plan to further increase it in the future.