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WEST VALLEY CITY — The family of a 14-year-old Hunter High student who was shot and killed earlier this month said they stand against bullying in every form, but said that doesn't justify taking a life.
The family of Tivani Lopati issued a statement as they prepared to lay the boy to rest this weekend.
"While we stand against bullying in any form, we acknowledge that bullying is not a valid defense for taking human life. We ask our community to join us in supporting a fair trial and ensuring that justice is served proportionally. We have all experienced too much loss already and we do not condone any form of retaliation or revenge," the Lopati-Maumau family said.
A 14-year-old boy charged with killing Lopati and Paul Tahi, 15, told police that the fellow classmates had been harassing him. Another student confirmed to police that the students had been in a dispute for over a year, according to charging documents.
Police said two groups of students began fighting during lunchtime on Jan. 13 along 4100 South between the northbound and southbound lanes of the Mountain View Corridor. Later, shots were fired during the fight and Lopati and Tahi were killed. Ephraim Asiata, 15, was also shot and has remained hospitalized, although his family says he has been improving. All three victims played football for Hunter High School.
The 14-year-old boy, whom KSL.com has chosen not to name at this time, was charged on Wednesday in the 3rd District Juvenile Court with two counts of murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; illegal discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice, second-degree felonies; possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of a handgun by a minor, a class B misdemeanor.
The charging documents say that a boy took a 9mm gun to school on Jan. 13 because he had been told the day before by members of a group that allegedly included the football players that he would be beaten up if he came to school.
That gun was later recovered in a ditch. The shootings occurred after the 14-year-old and his friends were "jumped," charing documents state. A different .40-caliber handgun was used in the shootings, according to police.
"As we lay our son to rest this weekend, we reflect on his life and the bright future he had ahead of him," the family statement says. "The outpouring of love and generosity has been overwhelming and clearly demonstrates the solidarity and strength of our community. We mourn together with heartbroken families across the nation who have been devastated by gun violence."
The family said people could honor Lopati by strengthening their personal relationships, being kinder to each other, and finding ways to get involved and serve in their communities.
