Kearns man punched complete stranger unprovoked, killing him, charges say

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SALT LAKE CITY — A Kearns man was charged Friday with punching a stranger in an unprovoked attack, resulting in the victim's death.

Kepueli Penisini, 21, is charged in 3rd District Court with manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

Just before 2 a.m. on July 10, Yusuf Jeylani Mohammed, 37, was found lying on his back in the area of 149 W. Pierpont Ave. "Mohammed was unresponsive and was bleeding heavily from his mouth and nose," according to charging documents.

Mohammed was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries.

A man who was with Mohammed told police they were at a club across the street and did not have any problems inside. But about 30 minutes after leaving the club, while standing in a parking lot across the street, the two were approached by four to five other men, according to police.

Mohammed and his friend weren't sure why the other group approached them, and Mohammed asked them, "What's up?" the charges state.

That's when Penisini punched Mohammed in the face, the charges allege. "Mohammed fell onto his back and was immediately unconscious."

An autopsy later determined Mohammed suffered skull fractures from both the punch and from hitting the pavement.

The friend was also assaulted. Detectives reviewed surveillance video and said they were able to identify Penisini as a suspect. Prosecutors noted in charging documents that Penisini is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 295 pounds while Mohammed was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 155 pounds.

"Without the opportunity to anticipate the blow, Mohammed fell to the ground without bracing or breaking his fall. The blow ultimately proved fatal," the charges state. "(Penisini) caused the death of Mohammed with his fist alone, despite the fact that Mohammed was a complete stranger. The random nature of his chosen victim makes him a clear danger to the community at large, as well as his ability to cause the loss of human life."