The suspect in the Rose Park funeral shooting has been extradited to Salt Lake City after being taken into custody in California. John Vea Uasike Jr., 32, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Thursday, according to jail records.
Uasike is facing two counts of murder related to a shooting that occurred during a funeral in January.
The shooting took place near 600 North and Redwood Road in Salt Lake City. Police discovered Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, dead in a church meetinghouse parking lot. Six other individuals were hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Uasike was taken into custody in early April following a multi-month investigation. Officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department stated that detectives identified Uasike as a suspect through extensive investigative work involving physical evidence, witness statements, and anonymous tips.
Police noted that witnesses were uncooperative during the investigation, leading to the arrest of two people on obstruction of justice charges.
Detectives believe additional individuals may have been involved in the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 801-799-3000.
