Father accused of giving teen gun ahead of fatal shooting at Kearns funeral
KEARNS, Utah (KUTV) — A father was taken into custody after allegedly giving his son the gun reportedly used in a deadly shooting during a funeral at church in Kearns on Monday.
Afuhia Masiu Manatau, 45, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail where he faces first-degree felony murder and felony discharge of a firearm.
Witnesses told investigators Manatau was assaulted in the church parking lot, leading to a physical fight. During the fight, Manatau allegedly pulled out a gun, which his 17-year-old son took from him.
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The 17-year-old reportedly used the gun to shoot one victim twice before the second victim rushed him and struggled for the gun, according to court documents. The second victim allegedly gains control of the gun and shot the 17-year-old. According to investigators, the second victim was then also shot, but it is unclear how they suffered gunshot wounds.
Manatau and his 17-year-old son then allegedly fled the scene, initiating a brief chase that ended near 4100 West and 4700 South. The 17-year-old son was found in the car with gunshot wounds. During that time, a second car pulled up to the scene and allegedly attempted to fight Manatau and his son, claiming "the shooter is in the car."
The 17-year-old and one of the victims were both hospitalized after shooting in critical condition. Another victim in the shooting died at the scene.
Afuhia Manatau was taken into custody and booked on the aforementioned charges.
An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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On August 17th, 2026 at 11:25 Unified Police Kearns officers were dispatched to a shooting just occurred at the LDS church located at 4660 W. 5015 S. Kearns, Utah. Multiple callers reported gunshots at a funeral after a physical altercation. Information gathered by officers was three victims received gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to the Intermountain Medical Center for medical assistance.
Officers identified a vehicle involved in the altercation, completing a traffic stop near 4100 W. 4715 S. Kearns, Utah. Taking two occupants into custody. The vehicle has been identified as a black 2026 Kia Carnival, license plate H313JR. Afuhia Manatau AKA Rocky Sr 03-24-1981 was taken into custody at this traffic stop. Afuihia's 17 year old son Tautusi Manatau was inside of the vehicle at the time of the stop and had a gunshot wound to the chest. A Black Toyota Tundra, license plate 45EN2, returned to the scene, occupied by 16 tear old KL (driver) and Simote Manatau (passenger) 12-13-2006.
Witness TAP said the that they were walking to the car to go smoke off the church property when they heard a fight going on. She and her sister went over there and broke things up. She advised she got there after the "boys" had punched Afuhia, that Afuhia's face was bloody. She advised that her sister got in between the boys, and Tautusi and VA. Afuhia had a blue or black crossbody bag on, and pulled out a handgun and Tautusi took it from Afuhia. Tautusi racked it, and pointed it towards the boys, and shot twice under the arm of her sister, striking TA twice, VA rushed Tautusi Gun gets knocked down and VA got the gun shooting Tautusi twice. Afuhia then tackles both VA and Tautusi and someone shot VA.
Witnesses saw Afuhia gave the gun to Tautusi who subsequently shot the two victims TA and VA