- An 18-year-old suspended student was arrested for brandishing a gun at Taylorsville.
- Uikilifi Taukeiaho admitted to bringing a Glock 19 during a verbal confrontation.
- The school's principal emphasized student safety and urged secure weapon storage at home.
TAYLORSVILLE — A suspended 18-year-old high school student was arrested and accused of returning to his school and brandishing a gun at a group of students.
Uikilifi Taukeiaho was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday for investigation of threatening to use a weapon during a fight and carrying a gun on school property.
On Friday, Taukeiaho, "who is a suspended student, came onto Taylorsville High School grounds without permission," a police booking affidavit states. Police say Taukeiaho drove up to a group of students standing in the north field and confronted them.
"During the confrontation multiple witnesses as well as three juveniles in the group stated they observed (Taukeiaho) brandish a handgun and point it at the group. (He) called them names and told the group to go to the park to settle things, then drove away," the affidavit states.
Police reviewed school surveillance video and confirmed Taukeiaho had entered school grounds. When he was questioned by detectives, Taukeiaho "admitted to bringing a Glock 19 onto school grounds and then brandishing the handgun at the group of people while engaged in a verbal argument," according to the affidavit.
A message sent to Taylorsville High School students and parents from principal Mark Ellermeier added that "No emergency protocol was deemed necessary at that time by law enforcement. Taylorsville police continued to investigate this incident and were able to identify and arrest the alleged suspect.
"Student safety is our primary concern, and we are very grateful to those students who reported this and for the prompt response by the administration and law enforcement. Bringing a weapon to school, real or fake, is very dangerous and has very serious repercussions including potential permanent removal from the school. As a reminder, please secure your weapons at home and make sure children do not have access to them," Ellermeier stated,
A spokesman with the Granite School District concurred that "student safety remains our highest priority. We appreciate the students who reported the concern and the swift response from school administrators and law enforcement."
