WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A West Valley City man is facing aggravated assault charges after police say he attacked another man near a gas station on Christmas Eve.
Neti Kuki Huavi Jr., 33, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the assault that happened on Dec. 24.
Officers were investigating a domestic violence incident that began in the area of 4150 South 4080 West before those involved went to the Speedway gas station a few blocks away.
One of those involved in the incident was determined to be Huavi, leading police to head to his home to speak with him. While there, officers said they heard loud screaming coming from an upstairs apartment at the complex.
Officers responded to the screaming and found a 26-year-old man who was covered in blood. The victim initially claimed to have fallen down the stairs but later admitted to being assaulted.
In front of Huavi's apartment, police found a vehicle parked with a smear of blood, along with a small amount of blood on the ground. They also discovered a rock that appeared to have blood on it.
Detectives returned to the gas station and collected surveillance video that allegedly showed Huavi wearing a red top, dark green pants, and white tennis shoes. Due to the proximity of the call, officers determined that Huavi may have been involved in the assault.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with significant facial trauma, including a laceration to his face, a broken rib, and multiple mandible fractures that required his jaw to be wired shut.
Once out of the hospital, police showed a photo line-up of suspects to the victim, who pointed out Huavi.
When interviewed by police a second time, Huavi stated that he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend before he went to the gas station. However, he said he left the station and walked north before his sister picked him up and stayed with her at her home for two days.
However, when police went to the sister's home and asked her to confirm the alibi, she told police that she didn't pick up her brother, and the sister's husband claimed not to know who Huavi was. Police also confirmed that Huavi wasn't with the couple for the two days that he claimed.
Detectives contacted the victim once again, who told police the suspect was wearing a black or red long-sleeve shirt, which they claimed matched what Huavi was wearing in the surveillance video.
