The Salt Lake City Police Department announced in a media release that a homicide suspect has been arrested. Today, SLCPD arrested 23-year-old Molitoni Vainuku in the shooting death of 22-year-old Halapain Moala at the New Yorker nightclub on June 4, 2023. On that date, SLC911 received multiple calls about a shooting at 60 West Market Street.

The first officer reached the scene within a minute of the call and found Moala on the ground in a nearby parking lot. The victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The Gang Unit worked closely with the Homicide Squad to identify the shooter. SLCPD also launched a criminal investigation into the New Yorker nightclub which has since been closed.

On March 22, 2024, the Gang Unit received information about Vainuku in West Valley City. Since detectives were aware the suspect likely had access to guns, the Gang Unit coordinated with the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and SWAT. When Vainuku left his residence and got into a vehicle, VCAT detectives safely took him into custody. Detectives say they located a firearm at the time of his arrest.