Parents ask for donations to support families of shooting victims

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Parents were hoping to rally more community support for an event Friday night, for the grieving families of three boys who were shot on the sidewalk down the street from their high school in West Valley City last week.

“It’s such a heartening thing to see all the support coming out,” said Jake Fitisemanu, a friend of the families and a council member for West Valley City.

From the growing memorial on 4100 South and Mountain View Corridor to various fundraisers over recent days, the West Valley and Polynesian communities have come together to offer some relief to the families.

“As a parent, you cannot imagine losing a child,” said Nive Schwenke Tokotaha. “Listening to the boys, to the parents telling stories about these kids, it broke my heart. Because I am a parent.”

Tokotaha asked for support from the Hunter High community on Friday.

She and parents of students who were classmates, friends and teammates of the victims are collecting donations — food, drinks, money, etc. — for the families of Tivani Lopati and Paul Tahi who were killed. And the family of Ephraim Asiata who was recently transferred out of the ICU.

“I think it’s still very raw. It’s still very emotional. But there is a sense of relief that the justice system is rolling,” said Fitisemanu who is also the spokesman for the Lopati family.

“The need for emotional support and morale-boosting and for this sense of community is going to be a really crucial part in this healing process.”

Fitisemanu said the family is “so grateful for the outpouring of support and love” over the last week.

Even if you have nothing to donate, Tokotaha said the presence of those in the community showing up will be enough – when they hand-deliver donations to each of the families.

Organizers are gathering outside Hunter High School Friday at 6 p.m. This is where they’re asking people to bring their donations and from there they will bring them to the boys’ families.