SALT LAKE CITY - Investigators still have more questions than answers in the shooting death of 19-year-old Sione Fakatoufifita.
Fakatoufifita was fatally shot on the north side of the Maverik store located on the corner of Redwood Road and 1700 South in Salt Lake City at around 1:15 a.m. last Saturday. Police say multiple shots were fired and Fakatoufifita was hit more than once.
Police and Fakatoufifita's family are still trying to piece together why he was in that part of Salt Lake City early Saturday morning.
"Why was he in Glendale? He lives in West Valley and knowing how Polynesians are and how Tongans are, you stay on your part and you stay on your part," said Nia Taulanga, Sione's aunt. "Why would he be in Glendale?"
Fakatoufifita's family says he'd spent Friday evening with his fiancée. Detectives say he was spotted hanging out along the Jordan River Parkway near 950 South and 1200 West in Glendale about an hour before he was dropped off at the Maverik. Fakatoufifita called for his parents to pick him up, but he was shot and killed before they arrived.
A possible suspect is a Polynesian man who was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a white T-shirt and dark jeans. Witnesses say he almost got hit by a passing car as he ran from the Maverik, traveling along Redwood Road.
Police are hoping that someone out there has information about Fakatoufifita and what happened that night.
"We believe there are people out there that saw him and that know a lot more and there's that hour time," said Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Shawn Josephson.
Anyone with information is asked to call 801-799-3000. There is a cash reward for the right tip.
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