Executive Summary
- Viliami Loumoli, 38, was arrested on three felony charges following a February 20 shooting in Salt Lake City.
- Court documents allege Loumoli pointed a firearm at a crowd during an assault involving five suspects.
- Surveillance footage and witness statements led gang detectives to obtain a search warrant for the arrest.
- Authorities confirmed Loumoli is a known gang member who was previously indicted by the FBI in 2010.
SALT LAKE CITY — A 38-year-old man identified by authorities as a known gang member has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges following a shooting incident in a residential area. Viliami Loumoli was taken into custody by the Salt Lake City Police Department in connection with a February 20 altercation near 800 South where a firearm was discharged in broad daylight.
According to court documents obtained by local reporters, police responded to a 911 call regarding a physical assault. Responding officers discovered that a group of five individuals had allegedly assaulted a victim, during which one suspect discharged a handgun. The affidavit of probable cause states that witnesses observed Loumoli in possession of a firearm during the chaos and reported that he pointed the weapon at a large crowd gathered in the area.
Investigators relied on video surveillance to corroborate witness accounts. The court filings note that the footage allegedly shows Loumoli engaged in the physical altercation while holding an object in his hand. Following the review of evidence, gang detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department secured a search warrant and executed the arrest. Authorities also noted that Loumoli was previously indicted by the FBI in 2010.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s gang unit indicates a focused effort to dismantle organized criminal elements operating within the city limits. By swiftly utilizing surveillance technology and witness testimony to secure a warrant, law enforcement aims to mitigate the risks posed by public shootings in populated neighborhoods. The prior federal indictment of the suspect may play a significant role in upcoming bail hearings and sentencing considerations, potentially elevating the severity of the judicial proceedings.
