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Utah teen charged with hate-crime stalking and threats

9/5/2026

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Story summary
  • Damyen Vainuku, 18, was charged in Utah’s 3rd District Court with stalking and hate-crime enhancements.
  • Charges include second-degree felony stalking, six third-degree weapon possession counts, and two class A threats.
  • Police began investigating on August 21 after West High School staff reported a threat the previous day.
  • Investigators found 13 firearm threats and texts saying “can’t wait to kill a gay person” on Vainuku’s devices.