WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Jan. 4, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Police in West Valley City have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with a December 23 shooting.
Aukusitino Heniakau Mafi was arrested Thursday when officers responded to an apartment in the area of 3620 South 4240 West, and found the victim with a gunshot wound to his right leg, just above the knee.
Parties on the scene identified Mafi as the suspect, “who was said to have fled the scene in a lifted tan Chevy SUV,” the affidavit says. “A female on scene told West Valley City officers she was in the bathroom when she observed (the victim) and Aukusitino yelling at each other.
“After the shots rang out, the female party exited the bathroom where (the victim) was observed in the corner of the kitchen with a gunshot wound to his leg. On scene, two 9mm shell casings were located on scene which were collected. Additionally, a 9mm slug was located under a chair in the North side of the kitchen.”
The victim was interviewed in the hospital, where he was being treated for the gunshot wound, “which caused a femur fracture and damage to the knee. (The victim) confirmed Aukusitino was the one who shot him but did not provide a reason as to why he was shot.”
On Jan. 2, Mafi appeared in West Jordan District Court on another case.
“Aukusitino was taken into custody at the courthouse and transported to West Valley City Police Department, where he invoked his rights.”
Mafi was booked into jail for investigation of:
- Aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony
- Felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony
As of Saturday afternoon, Mafi was still incarcerated.
