A man on trial for gang violence was reportedly shot by a U.S. marshal at a Utah courthouse Monday morning. And, breaking the news, the Associated Press reports he's been pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Officials say the recently opened Salt Lake City courthouse was on lockdown after the defendant, 25-year-old Siale Angilau, lunged at and attempted to stab a witness on the stand with a pen one hour into trial. (Via KUTV)
An FBI official says the marshal shot Angilau in the chest multiple times. Angilau was reportedly breathing when taken to the hospital, but news of his death was confirmed around 2:30 mountain time. (Via KSL-TV)
Angilou, an alleged member of the Tongan Crip Gang, was being tried for gang-related racketeering and violent crimes, including shooting two U.S. marshals in 2007. He was also accused in a string of robberies and assaults of local store clerks. (Via KTVX)
Deseret News reports he has been in prison since 2007 for violating his probation. He was then convicted in 2008 for obstructing justice and failure to stop at the command of an officer but was recently released in the custody of U.S. marshals pending his current trial.
Police say he was the last of several alleged members of the gang to stand trial. Seven others were convicted in 2011 for crimes including robberies and assaults.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, federal prosecutors say the gang committed robberies, assaults, shootings and murders over two decades to "expand its operations."
Aside from Angilau's gunshot wounds, no other injuries at the courthouse have been reported. Officials say a mistrial has been called.
