The son of the former broker of the Minnesota VikingsMatt Asiata is in critical condition after a shooting in Utah on Thursday morning.
Ephraim Asiata, 15, was identified as one of three victims in a shooting that occurred in West Valley City, Utah, by the Granite School District.
“Principal (Ryan) Oaks recently spoke with the Asiata family and they indicated that he remains in critical condition and that the family would appreciate prayers on behalf of their son, nephew and cousin,” district officials said in the tweet, according to the Deseret News. “As a school and district community, we also ask you to keep the families of Paul Tahi and Tivani Lopati in your hearts, thoughts and prayers, and to work to support them in any way we can. There are many children and families who are struggling tonight as a result of this senseless tragedy.”
Three teens shot near Asiata’s Alma Mater
According to the Deseret News, police believe two groups of students who knew each other were fighting between the northbound and southbound lanes of a highway near Hunter High School, Asiata’s alma mater.
After the shots rang out, the suspects fled the scene, West Valley police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said, according to the Deseret News. west valley police identified to the other two victims, Tivani Lopati, 14, Paul Tahi, 15, who died Thursday night.
A witness to the shooting was driving when she heard three or four loud explosions, but did not immediately associate them with gunshots. But then he noticed people scattering and saw two teenagers, one of them with a gun.
“There were children flying everywhere trying to escape!” the witness said, according to the Deseret News. “I saw him shoot this kid and I saw him fall and hit the floor or the ground and he was in a lot of pain,” he said. “It was the scariest thing of all. And they came up and kicked him in the head and then ran away.”
Police detained four boys: three 14-year-olds and one 15-year-old, the Deseret News reported.
“As far as I know, the people involved are high school students,” Vainuku said.
Ephraim, a star soccer player like his dad
All three victims were football players from Hunter High School. Ephraim, a sophomore, has already received an offer from Wisconsin and recently paid an official visit to his father’s college alma mater, Utah.
As a linebacker, Ephraim posted 77 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks in nine games last season. He was excited about his grades recently, posting on January 12 that he received a 3.8 GPA for his second semester.
Ephraim’s Twitter account is full of training videos directed by Matt, to whom he has shown his gratitude.
“#AsiataTraining I thank my DAD for the help and hard training he gives me to practice this sport,” Ephraim tweeted on January 8.
Ephraim was in the Vikings’ locker room while Matt was playing for the team, calling Adrian Peterson “uncle” and posting a childhood photo with the star running back.
.
