A 19-year-old woman has died in hospital after being shot in the head and neck during a drive-by shooting at a boxing event south of Brisbane. The investigation has shifted to homicide, and Queensland's police minister has warned those who know who is behind the shooting.
Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau died on Thursday after being on life support. Police are looking for at least three people involved in the shooting, including two masked gunmen who fired at least six shots at a crowd at Fitzys Loganholme.
The shooting occurred during an intermission at a family-friendly boxing event hosted by SHDW Boxing. A Mitsubishi ASX without number plates approached the venue's drop-off zone just after 8pm. Wearing balaclavas and gloves, the offenders opened fire, striking four people.
Three men were also shot: Zachary Uchtman, Brodie Blackwood and Kane Barrett. Barrett and Blackwood have since been released from hospital, while Uchtman remains in care. The getaway car was found burned out in Waterford West, and CCTV shows a second vehicle picking up the gunmen, police say.
Detective Inspector Ian Galpin said the shooting had an element of pre-planning. Task Force Maxima, which investigates outlaw motorcycle gangs, is involved, though police are keeping a very open mind to links with gang or organised crime. 'If that leads to the ID of gang members, their associates or other form of organised crime, then we will expand the scope of our investigation at that point,' DI Galpin said. He added that one of the offenders may have suffered burns while setting the car alight.
Chief Superintendent Mel Adams stated there is no indication the victims were specifically targeted, calling them 'a random group of people, at the front of a popular hotel, who became victims' and does not believe a retaliatory attack is likely. She urged the community to step up to help solve the crime.
Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as a 'horrendous crime', saying it was unacceptable for people to become 'collateral damage' on a night out. Police Minister Dan Purdie issued a direct warning to those covering for the perpetrators. 'There's people out there who know who's involved, they know who did what, and I can assure them that the police are coming for you,' he said.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven assured the community the city is full of 'good people' and that the offenders 'do not represent what we are about'. Logan MP Linus Power offered condolences in state parliament. Local resident Shae Hilton said the shooting makes her sick with anger. 'This place has been such a family place for so long and seeing this has actually put goosebumps through my body,' she said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The fatal shooting of an innocent 19-year-old has shattered the sense of safety around community events in suburban Logan.
- The involvement of the state's anti-bikie taskforce suggests police are taking the prospect of organised crime links seriously.
- The ultimatum from the Police Minister underscores the immense public and political pressure to make arrests.
Background
The drive-by shooting occurred at Fitzys Loganholme, a popular pub, during a boxing night hosted by SHDW Boxing. Police believe the attack was premeditated, with the offenders using a stolen vehicle and a second getaway car. The investigation has been taken over by the homicide squad and Task Force Maxima.
Key Perspectives
Police Minister Dan Purdie: Warned that police are coming for anyone involved or harbouring the perpetrators, while assuring the community of a thorough investigation.
Detective Inspector Ian Galpin: Stated there are people in the community who know exactly who did this and why, and urged them to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Mel Adams: Indicated the victims were a random group of innocent people, not specifically targeted, and that a retaliatory attack is not expected.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven: Emphasised that the offenders do not represent the local community, which is full of good people.
Premier David Crisafulli: Called the fatal shooting a horrendous crime and the victims collateral damage from the violence.
What to Watch
- Whether the burned-out vehicles yield forensic evidence that identifies the suspects.
- If the taskforce investigation uncovers a direct link to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
- Whether the suspects are apprehended within Queensland or have fled interstate.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe shooting investigation shifted to homicide after the 19-year-old victim died.Just In: “The manhunt for two masked gunmen who fired at least six shots at a crowd of innocent people outside a pub in Logan has shifted to a homicide investigation. Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, 19, died in hospital after she was shot in the head and neck.”
- SupportedThe Police Minister warned people who know who was behind the shooting while police searched for masked gunmen.Just In: “Police Minister Dan Purdie offers reassurance to the community, but issues a warning to those who might know who is behind the shooting.”
- SupportedA 19-year-old woman died in hospital after being shot in the head and neck during a drive-by shooting at a boxing event south of Brisbane.Just In: “A family-friendly boxing event south of Brisbane, shots fired and now a community in mourning.”
- SupportedThe victim died on Thursday after being on life support.Just In: “Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28 ... Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau is still on life support in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. Thursday, October 29 Police confirm that Ms Schuster-Togiatau has died in hospital.”
- SupportedPolice were looking for at least three people involved in the shooting, including two masked gunmen.Just In: “He says police are looking for at least three people involved in the shooting”
- Partly supportedThe shooting had an element of pre-planning, according to Detective Inspector Ian Galpin.Just In: “It is believed the shooting had an element of "pre-planning"”
- Partly supportedPolice were keeping a very open mind to links with gangs or organised crime.Just In: “Detective Inspector Galpin tells reporters police are keeping "a very open mind" to any links to motorcycle gangs.”
- Partly supportedThe Police Minister issued a direct warning to people covering for the perpetrators.Just In: “Police Minister Dan Purdie offers reassurance to the community, but issues a warning to those who might know who is behind the shooting.”