Man killed after entering Riverton gas station with shotgun identified

RIVERTON — One man who entered a Riverton Chevron Holiday gas station with a shotgun is dead after officials said an armed, unaffiliated person engaged with him.

Riverton public information officer Nate Slack said the man, Ofa’tangikivaha Angilau, 23, was shot and killed by the other individual who had a weapon.

He said no police were involved and no others at the gas station were injured.

In a statement on Monday with the name of the deceased man, Slack said initial reports that the man had fired the shotgun were incorrect.

“We want to reiterate that the investigation has determined initial reports of the man firing shots inside the Holiday Oil were incorrect,” Slack said.

The incident occurred on Friday at the gas station at 12600 S. 4185 West.

According to Slack, the man had entered the gas station to purchase alcohol, but did not have ID, so the clerk refused to sell him alcohol and he became “belligerent” and “argumentative.” At that point, another person tried to de-escalate the situation, and the man left and got into his car.

Slack said the man drove around, but soon came back with a shotgun, and an individual inside the gas station chose to fire and killed Angilau. After being shot, Angilau exited the store and collapsed outside, where he died from his injuries.

He said the person who shot the man has been very cooperative with officers.

“I think this is why a lot of people do conceal carry just to protect themselves in situations like this. Obviously a very unfortunate situation, but they do occur; they are rare, however, especially here in Riverton,” Slack said.