South Jordan man who shot officer sent to prison; officer says he is 'medical miracle'

SALT LAKE CITY — South Jordan police officer Caleb Wilson said being shot while serving a warrant in 2021 has had a large impact on him, other officers and his family.

Wilson was doing his job, helping protect the community, he said Wednesday during the sentencing hearing for the man who shot him. Multiple officers went to the home because the man they were looking for had run from police in the past, but they were not searching the house with guns out.

"Next thing you know, I was laying on the ground," Wilson recalled, describing how others thankfully helped him prepare a tourniquet and he was able to survive.

"I know that it's a medical miracle that I'm here," Wilson said.

Investigators at the time said the shooting severed the officer's femoral artery.

Officers also gave medical aid to Malui Salesi Vehikite, who shot Wilson, since Vehikite was hit by an "almost simultaneous" shot returned by an officer.

Vehikite, 30, of South Jordan pleaded guilty in June to felony discharge of a firearm, a first-degree felony; and two charges of assault against a police officer with a weapon, second-degree felonies, as part of a plea deal. He was originally charged with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; two counts of assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony; and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.

Third District Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills told Vehikite she hopes he appreciates the "huge and unspeakable" impact his actions had on Wilson and others. She sentenced him to a term of five years to life in prison for the first-degree felony, and a term of one to 15 years for each second-degree felony.

The sentences were ordered be served consecutively, so he ultimately received a sentence of seven years to life. The judge said the consecutive sentences represent the three individual victims — each police officer who was there.

On Nov. 26, 2021, three South Jordan police officers were searching for Vehikite, who had several felony warrants, at 10424 S. Tarali Court. A family member let the officers inside. Wilson's body camera footage shows he pushed a door open and heard someone say, "Back up" and he did. Vehikite exited a bathroom, and pointed his gun at another officer before shooting Wilson in the leg.

"Mr. Vehikite knowingly shot a police officer and pointed his firearm in the direction of two other police officers, showing a disregard for human life," a police booking affidavit said.

Wilson said he has undergone multiple surgeries, but the mental impact is still the hardest part of his recovery. "I still haven't been able to come to terms with it, I don't know when that will happen," he said.

Wilson described a subsequent experience working on an investigations unit when he needed to go into a dark basement, and he said he physically couldn't.

At the sentencing, deputy Salt Lake County attorney Marc Mathis played a video recording of the incident, and explained that there were three different victims: Wilson and two other officers who could have been shot.

"They put their life, and their safety, in harm's way. … The shooting of a police officer when they are conducting their duties weighs heavier," he said.

Mathis said Vehikite first pointed the gun at an officer who was facing away from him, and said the fact that he had a loaded gun shows that he was not trying to run, he was trying to fight. He refuted claims that firing the gun was an accident, saying Vehikite must have had his finger on the trigger for it to fire.

Mathis asked for Vehikite to pay over $80,000 to cover Wilson's bills as a result of the shooting, and the judge granted the request.

Vehikite apologized in the courtroom to Wilson, other officers involved and their families.

"I've just been heartbroken, and devastated and ashamed of what I've done," he said.

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