Utah detectives say accused stalker told victim he ‘couldn’t wait to kill a gay person’

A Provo, Utah, man accused of stalking a former high school classmate and threatening to kill him and his family now faces charges carrying hate crime enhancements after allegedly saying he “couldn’t wait to kill a gay person.”Damyen Vainuku, 18, was charged Thursday in Utah’s 3rd District Court with stalking, a second-degree felony; six counts of being a restricted person in possession of a weapon, a third-degree felony; and one count each of making a threat of violence and harassment, both class A misdemeanors, according to KSL Media. The stalking, threat and harassment charges carry “targeting” enhancements — Utah’s equivalent of a hate crime designation.Salt Lake City police began investigating on August 21 after West High School staff received a report that Vainuku had threatened the man and his family the previous day. Police said Vainuku and the victim previously attended the school together, according to local affiliate KSTU.Related: Utah student athlete threatened after school board member implies she's transThe victim told investigators that he had repeatedly asked Vainuku to leave him alone. Authorities say Vainuku nevertheless continued trying to follow him on social media through multiple accounts before allegedly sending threats and images of firearms.“Threats of violence are unacceptable. Stalking and threats based on someone's sexual orientation or how they appear are abhorrent and make our entire community less safe,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “Our Survivor and Victims Services team will work with (the victim) and his family to ensure they have the support they need to help process the trauma they are likely experiencing after being targeted by these alleged threats.”Charging documents say investigators identified 13 threats involving a firearm. Vainuku also allegedly threatened to distribute intimate videos of the victim.Related: Utah family sues school district over bullying and assault of their LGBT