This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The U.S. Department of Justice has found that a deputy U.S. marshal was justified in the fatal shooting of Siale Angilau during his April trial in Salt Lake City's federal courthouse.
The deputy, whom the FBI would not identify, shot Angilau four times April 21 when Angilau, 25, allegedly grabbed a pen and rushed toward a witness who was testifying against him. The deputy shot Angilau as he moved toward the witness in "an aggressive, threatening manner," agents wrote in a press release Monday. Angilau died of his wounds.
Investigators found no evidence Angilau was shot while on the ground, agents wrote.
Angilau had been identified by federal prosecutors as a member of the Tongan Crip Gang and was indicted on racketeering charges in May 2010. The shooting occurred on the first day of his trial.
Angilau's family and other members of the Tongan community held a vigil outside the courthouse last month and questioned whether the shooting was an excessive use of force against Angilau.
Agents declined to provide the deputy marshal's name, saying "it serves no legitimate public interest."
"No further investigation will be conducted, and the FBI considers this matter closed," agents wrote.