Second man accused of obstructing Salt Lake church parking lot double-killing

SALT LAKE CITY – A second man was accused of obstruction related to the Jan. 7 Salt Lake church parking lot double-killing, according to police.

Detectives identified 22-year-old Ezekiel Tai as the alleged driver of the Yukon that left the parking lot shortly after the shooting, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, police responded to a report of a shooting with multiple victims in the parking lot of a meetinghouse belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 660 N. Redwood Road. Sione Vatuvei, 38, of Glendale, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, were killed. Six other men were taken to local hospitals with “what appear(ed) to be non-life-threatening injuries,” according to police.

During the investigation, detectives learned a black colored SUV was seen leaving the church parking lot shortly after the shooting, according to police. Shortly after, police said a black GMC Yukon XL showed up at University Medical Center and dropped off two people who had been shot. Detectives identified the car and found it at an address in West Jordan.

Police said Tai was at the residence when detectives arrived to serve a search warrant on the house and the car. Detectives determined Tai matched the description of the man seen driving the Yukon the night of the shooting. Tai was also seen cleaning the inside of the car in the garage of the West Jordan house, according to police.

Tai was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a charge of felony obstruction of justice, police say.

Anyone with more information is encouraged to call 801-799-3000 or submit a tip to the police.

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This is a breaking news story. It may be updated.