Man accused of shooting, killing a man sitting in his car faces 1st degree murder charge

(KUTV) — A man will face first-degree murder charges, accused of shooting a man while he sat in a vehicle talking to a woman. The victim, identified as Aki Fulilangi, later died from his injuries.

Lolo Latu, 26, is accused of killing Fulilangi on June 8 in West Valley, striking him in the chest and leg. Court documents for the charges request a no-bail hold and says Latu poses a significant danger to the community

A woman who was with Fulilangi, parked in front of a West Valley residence when he was shot, told police a lifted black SUV pulled up next to the car they were sitting in and was "mean mugging." She said Latu exited the SUV, spoke to Fulilangi briefly before walking away and then turning around and firing two shots at the car, hitting Fulilangi. The story matched what hospital staff told police Fulilangi told them.

The woman reportedly switched places with Fulilangi and drove him to a hospital where she dropped him off.

Investigators identified Latu as the shooter and when arrested, police located a 9 mm Taurus handgun in the vehicle he was driving. Shell casings recovered from the area of the shooting were determined to be fired from that gun. The documents also state cell phone data put Latu in the area of the fatal shooting when it occurred.

The call for no bail states Latu has three recorded criminal offenses when he possessed firearms including aggravated robbery when he was 16.

"Most recently, Latu was convicted of assault by a prisoner in third district case...demonstrating that he cannot refrain from assaultive behavior even in the most restrictive setting available at the Utah State Prison. It also states that whole on his most recent parole, Latu was charged in two separate cases for violation of a protective order and "is not amenable to following court orders."

"His disregard for the wellbeing of others will undoubtedly lead to even more tragic outcomes should he be released back into the community," documents state.

Latu is charged with first-degree murder, felony discharge of a firearm with serious injury, use of a firearm by a restricted person and obstructing justice.