SLCPD: Family members of homicide victim found fleeing different crime scene hours later

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Salt Lake City Chief of Police Mike Brown addressed community concerns Monday surrounding the recent increase of gun violence along and around Market Street.

This past weekend, between Saturday, June 3, and midnight Monday, June 5, Chief Brown said the agency responded to four incidents involving firearms along Market Street and at the nearby parking lot, two of which are possibly related.

The first incident, which occurred near 60 West Market Street just after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old man who fired shots over the heads of Salt Lake City police officers. No injuries were sustained by anyone involved.

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"The reckless disregard of someone who openly shoots in a crowded space not only endangers innocent lives but also poses an immediate threat to our police officers," Brown said.

Detectives of the department are reportedly working alongside prosecutors to determine if any gun-related charges will be filed in the case.

SLCPD dispatchers were notified of the second firearm-involved incident of the weekend through several 911 calls placed early Sunday morning around 4 a.m.

Chief Brown said officers responded immediately and located a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound on the ground of the parking lot across from Market Street. The victim, identified as Halapaini Latu Moala, ultimately died on scene despite the life-saving efforts deployed by officers, paramedics and firefighters.

"Our homicide detectives have been working this case non-stop but they are running into roadblocks," Brown said. "They're getting little cooperation from the people that witnessed the shooting. Let me reiterate that," he continued, "there are people who know who the shooter is and they are not coming forward, either because they are scared or because they are intentionally trying to hinder this case."

Chief Brown said the agency will continue to go after these individuals who will face obstruction of justice charges.

Later Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. Salt Lake police officers patrolling the area of 300 South Main Street reportedly heard another set of gunshots. After further investigation, they witnessed a car pull out of the lot across from Market Street.

Officers stopped the vehicle and found a shotgun and two spent bullet shells.

"Some of the people inside of that car were family members of the 22-year-old homicide victim," Brown confirmed.

SLCPD detectives and state prosecutors are working with federal partners to determine the appropriate charges in this case.

The fourth incident happened just after midnight Monday morning along 300 South Main Street.

"Officers found a 27-year-old man who had been shot in the hand," Brown said.

As of Monday afternoon, Salt Lake City police were searching for two suspects who fled the area in a car after this most recent shooting.

Anyone with additional information on these incidents or the at-large suspects involved are encouraged to contact SLCPD at (801) 799-3000.

While Chief Brown said that the agency is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of those who live, work or visit around 60 West Market Street, he added that these were not random shootings and that the gun violence from this past weekend all appeared to be isolated.

"We have, and will continue to increase our footprint in and around number 60 West Market Street," the chief stated.