SALT LAKE CITY — An investigation into an aggravated burglary in Salt Lake City escalated to a tactical incident early Saturday morning.
According to a press release from Salt Lake City Police, the investigation began just before 3:30 a.m. when dispatch received a call reporting a gunshot in the area of 500 N. Dexter Street. Once on scene, officers set up a perimeter around the area and began searching for any victims and suspects.
Officers later learned that two men showed up at an apartment complex in the area and tried kicking in the door to one of the apartments. One of the people inside fought back, leading to one of the suspects shooting through an apartment window. Fortunately, no one was hurt by the shooting.
Officers then followed a blood trail to a nearby apartment, caused by an injury a suspect sustained during the earlier fight. While watching the apartment, one of the suspects exited, but then immediately went back inside upon seeing law enforcement.
Around 4:00 a.m., one of the suspects, later identified as 31-year-old Vaioleti Fonakimoana Mafi, exited and surrendered to police. Officers later learned he was related to the victim in the first apartment.
Believing the other suspect was still inside the apartment, the on-scene commander called in crisis negotiations and the SLCPD SWAT team, who attempted to communicate using a public address system.
SLCPD closed North Dexter Street between 500 and 600 North for the duration of the tactical operation, which lasted a number of hours.
At 7:19 a.m., the SWAT team searched the apartment, but could not locate the second suspect.
Detectives later responded to the scene to continue the investigation. It is believed the incident is part of an ongoing domestic violence issue involving the two suspects and the victim.
Mafi was booked on eight charges, including aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
