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Tonya Papanikolas Reporting"He's very dangerous and we definitely want to get him off the streets, and that's our number one goal right now."
Police identify the man suspected of murdering a 23-year-old at a party over the weekend and leaving another man seriously injured. Officers say the suspect is a known gang member and they want the public's help in tracking him down.
Officers say the suspect and two victims got in a fight Friday night. One of the victims died, the other is still in critical condition.
South Salt Lake police say 21-year-old Tyson Yellowbear was arguing with a man at a party late Friday night when he pulled out a gun and shot 32-year-old Pesio Vaeluaga in the head. Then the victim's friend approached him.
Cpt. Chris Snyder, South Salt Lake Police: "At some point there became a physical confrontation between Yellowbear and our second victim. That victim was shot in the torso."
Twenty-three-year-old Danny Tapuaialupe died at the scene. Police say Yellowbear then took off, leaving in a green truck with another man, who police believe was a witness.
Cpt. Chris Snyder: "We're still working on trying to identify him as well, and definitely we want to talk to him also."
Yellowbear is considered very dangerous. He's a documented gang member with an extensive criminal history. In 2003 he was charged with aggravated robbery, burglary and assault. In 2004, police say, he assaulted someone while in the Salt Lake County jail.
Twice police have charged him as a fugitive, and in the last two years he's faced charges of theft, assault, giving false information to officers and now attempted murder. Police have a half-million-dollar warrant out for his arrest.
Cpt. Chris Snyder: "We have information to believe he will try to flee the state, if he hasn't already. We think he's still in the Salt Lake area."
While officers work to track down leads and find Yellowbear, they are also looking into what caused the original fight.
Cpt. Chris Snyder: "This doesn't appear to be a rival gang situation, although our suspect is a gang member."
Right now, police have only charged Yellowbear with attempted murder for the victim who's still alive, but they do expect murder charges to follow.
