A funeral gathering in Kearns, Utah, turned tragic Monday morning, August 17, 2026, when a fight between two families escalated into gunfire outside a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
Vilisoni Angilau, 18, was killed in the shooting. Two other people, including a 17-year-old suspected of firing the weapon, were critically injured and taken to the hospital.
Kearns Funeral Shooting
Police said the shooting began with an altercation outside a meetinghouse at 4066 W. 5015 South, where a funeral was being held.
Investigators believe the confrontation was connected to an ongoing dispute between two families. Police had reportedly been notified beforehand about the potential for trouble and had officers nearby when the gunfire erupted.
A funeral flyer shared on Facebook indicated that a service for Ofa’tangikivaha Angilau, who was killed in an August 7 shooting at a Riverton gas station, was scheduled at the meetinghouse.
How the Shooting Happened
According to investigators and witness accounts, a 45-year-old man allegedly handed a firearm to his 17-year-old son during the confrontation.
Police say the teenager fired the weapon and struck a man involved in the fight.
Angilau then reportedly rushed toward the teenager, took possession of the firearm and fired, striking the teen.
Investigators said the father subsequently tackled Angilau. Police allege that the teenager also shot Angilau during the confrontation.
When officers arrived, they found Angilau lying in the street. Despite emergency efforts, he died from his injuries.
The father and son reportedly fled the scene before police stopped their vehicle. The 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and discharging a deadly weapon. The teenager was hospitalized and is being treated as a suspect in the investigation.
Schools Placed Under Lockdown
The shooting prompted lockdowns at several nearby schools as police responded to the scene.
West Kearns Elementary School, David Gourley Elementary and Kearns Junior High School were among the schools affected.
The incident also resulted in a significant police response at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where the shooting victims were transported. The hospital response caused some patients to be diverted to other facilities and appointments to be canceled.
Investigation Continues
Police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events that led to the confrontation and the roles of those involved.
The 45-year-old suspect was being held without bail, while the injured 17-year-old remained hospitalized.
Authorities have not released additional details about the funeral or the dispute between the families.
The shooting has left the Kearns community mourning the loss of an 18-year-old while also raising concerns about the escalation of family disputes into deadly violence.
Vilisoni Angilau will be remembered by his family, friends and community as investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding his death.