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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police arrested a man Tuesday after they say he punched another man outside a downtown nightclub in an unprovoked attack over the weekend, resulting in the man's death.
Kepueli Penisini, 21, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of homicide by assault.
About 1:50 a.m. Sunday, police were called to the area of 149 W. Pierpont Ave. on a report of an assault.
"When officers arrived, they found a chaotic scene with more than 100 people on the streets, with more exiting the nearby entertainment venues. Officers identified a large fight and attempted to disperse the crowds," according to a prepared statement from Salt Lake police.
Less than 10 minutes later, officers on scene heard multiple gunshots in the area. Officers searching the area found 37-year-old Yusuf Mohammed unconscious on the ground with face and head injuries. Mohammed was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Police say he was not shot and the source of the shots was not found.
Witnesses told police that Mohammed was standing in a parking lot when he was approached by a group of men. One of the men punched Mohammed in the face "one time without warning or provocation," according to a police booking affidavit. The victim, who was knocked out by the punch, fell backward onto the ground.
Based on video surveillance that detectives were able to collect, police identified Penisini as a suspect. He was located by members of the Salt Lake police bike squad on Tuesday and arrested.
"(Penisini) has demonstrated a propensity for violence by physically assaulting an individual without warning who was merely standing there and demonstrating no threat," police wrote in the affidavit.
Sunday's deadly assault is the latest in a recent series of violent episodes in the area that has several nightclubs and restaurants. Last month, 11 people were injured in weekend fights in one weekend.
"There have been several high-profile incidents occurring at and around the Pierpont entertainment district, but those incidents certainly do not define this important part of our city and its culture," Chief Mike Brown said in a prepared statement.
The chief said it will take more than extra police patrols or security guards on site to stop these types of violent episodes. "It will require people to stop allowing situations to escalate into potentially dangerous – and now deadly – situations. The best way to keep safe is to avoid the potential for conflicts and to report anything suspicious by calling 911," he said.
