Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, a 19-year-old woman from Jimboomba, has died after being shot in the head and neck outside a Queensland pub last weekend.
The shooting occurred outside Fitzy’s in Loganholme, south of Brisbane, on Saturday night as more than 100 people, including families with young children, gathered for the Logan City Titles boxing event. Four people were wounded in the attack.
Queensland Police confirmed the teenager died on Thursday morning.
Detective Inspector Ian Galpin told reporters on Thursday afternoon that the fatal shooting was now being investigated as a homicide.
Offering his condolences on behalf of the Queensland Police Service, Det Insp Galpin said the victim’s family and friends were at the centre of police’s thoughts.
The detective described the perpetrators as “cowardly”, saying the 19-year-old had been killed while enjoying a night out with friends and was “in the prime of her life”.
“A 19-year-old woman, in the prime of her life, who was simply going out for a night out with friends, has had her life taken from her, in the most cowardly way,” he said.
“We have not stopped and we will not stop until these people are identified and taken into custody.”
Jimboomba woman Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau died after being shot outside a Queensland pub.
Police said two men wearing balaclavas and gloves opened fire on people attending the Logan City Titles boxing event at Fitzy’s in Loganholme, south of Brisbane.
Det Insp Galpin appealed to anyone who knows the identities of those involved to contact police.
“There are people out there who know exactly who was involved in this offence and exactly why this occurred,” he said.
“I’m asking those people to be brave enough to come forward with that information and contact police.”
Police have been supporting Ms Schuster-Togiatau’s family, with Det Insp Galpin saying they “are not doing well” as they deal with the loss.
“They are not doing well. It’s an incredibly difficult time for them. I can’t imagine the hurt they’re going through,” he said.
“We will continue to support the family in every way possible, and I think the best way we can do that is to identify who is involved and make sure those people are taken into custody.”
Ms Schuster-Togiatau was shot in the face outside Fitzy’s after two men wearing balaclavas and gloves allegedly opened fire from a silver Mitsubishi ASX.
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Police said three men were also injured when at least six bullets were fired into the crowd.
Ms Schuster-Togiatau uploaded a video to TikTok just hours before the shooting.
Three men were also wounded when at least six bullets were fired into the crowd; pictured are two people helping a man who was shot in the stomach.
The car was later found burnt out at Waterford West. Police believe the offenders then fled in another vehicle and that at least three people were involved.
It is understood the teen was not an intended target.
Just hours before the shooting, Ms Schuster-Togiatau uploaded a video to TikTok.
The 15-second clip showed the carefree teen sitting in the back seat of a car with her boyfriend, lip-syncing to the Justin Bieber hit Daisies while enjoying pre-mixed drinks.
Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Mel Adams told reporters on Monday she was confident police catch those responsible.
‘I can tell you we will solve this crime. We absolutely will,’ Chief Supt Adams said.
‘But to do that, we need community input and we need community support.
‘I wouldn’t use the term targeted, but there were elements of pre-planning that lead us to say it was not random.’
She pleaded for anyone with information, regardless of how small, to ‘step up’ and come forward.
‘This could have been your family member,’ Chief Supt Adams said.
‘This was a random group of people at the front of a popular hotel who became victims.
‘If you know something, help us with this investigation. It could be the smallest thing. In isolation it might seem like nothing, but when you tell us, it adds to quite a comprehensive and growing intelligence picture and we need that information from you.’
Taskforce Maxima, a specialist Queensland Police squad that investigates outlaw motorcycle gangs and serious organised crime, is assisting local detectives and the State Crime Command in the investigation.
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