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ST. GEORGE — A man accused of gunning down a father of four and a former high school football star outside of a St. George bar was charged Monday with murder, a first-degree felony.
Bronson Joseph Flynn, 26, of Ivins, Washington County, is also charged in 5th District Court with two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; threatening to use a weapon during a fight, a class A misdemeanor; plus DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, and carrying a weapon while under the influence, class B misdemeanors.
Flynn is accused of shooting and killing Spencer Maluafiti Tafua, 34, just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday outside the One and Only Bar, 64 N. 800 East.
Responding officers found Flynn still sitting in his car, which was running, in the bar's parking lot. An assault rifle was found in the front passenger seat, according to a Washington County Jail report.
Tafua went to Pine View High School in St. George. On his Facebook page, Pine View football coach Ray Hosner said he was heartbroken.
"His heart was so BIG he would do anything for anyone," Hosner wrote. "He touched all of our lives."
"This senseless crime has left four children without a father and so many others hurting. Spencer was a friend to and loved by everyone. He will be remembered for his huge smile and kind heart. Spencer was a hero to his four children and all of his friends. He was a protector to all of those whom he cared about," according to a GoFundMe* fundraiser set up to help pay for funeral expenses and support his children.
Flynn's criminal history includes only a few misdemeanor crimes, mainly for alcohol-related offenses, according to court records.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
