18-year-old charged with threatening to kill victim, their family over sexual orientation – KJZZ

by Megan Brugger, KUTV Thu, September 3, 2026 at 3:54 PM FILE – Man holding phone. (Photo: KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged after he allegedly threatened to kill a victim and their family based on the victim’s sexual orientation. Salt Lake gang detectives interviewed the victim on August 21. The victim said that Damyen Vainuku, whom he has known since high school, tried to follow him several times on social media with different accounts. On August 20, Vainuku tried to add the victim on Snapchat. When the victim asked him why he kept trying to follow him, Vainuku sent threats to kill the victim and his family, according to a press release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Vainuku allegedly said, “he couldn’t wait to kill a gay person.” Police took Vainuku into custody on August 25, and he admitted to the threats, the press release states. MORE: Mother indicted, accused of severely abusing her twin babies in Southern Utah Vainuku was charged with the following: One count of stalking-weapon/means/force likely to cause death or injury, a second-degree felony with a penalty enhancement due to a victim targeting penalty enhancement
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