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SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of confronting a family on Temple Square and then stabbing a family member as they were leaving was charged Tuesday.
Leka Tavalu-Fifita, 18, of West Valley, was charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. A $25,000 warrant was issued for his arrest Tuesday.
Fifita and a 16-year-old cousin were at Temple Square on Sunday night while intoxicated, according to police. Near the reflective pool, the duo ran into another group.
There was reportedly a verbal confrontation between Fifita and another man in the group that turned into a physical altercation, police said.
The two were separated, but police say they ran into each other again by chance about 10:20 p.m. near the corner of North Temple and West Temple.
According to family members of Sosaia Otuafi, 20, who were with him, Fifita and his cousin "started coming after" the family, according to charging documents. Other family members told investigators that "two guys chased" Otuafi before Fifita "pushed him down" and stabbed him, the report states.
Charging documents say Otuafi was stabbed either two or three times and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was reportedly stabbed in either the back or side.
"A knife shaped like a rifle bullet was located in the (Fifita's) pocket," according to the charges.
An officer spotted Fifita trying to leave the area in a truck. The officer used his patrol car to block Fifita and arrest him, according to the charges.
Police said earlier the 16-year-old was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor and disorderly conduct, and was released to his parents.
