Woman, 19, fighting for life after mass shooting outside Queensland pub identified
A woman fighting for her life in hospital after being struck by bullets in a mass shooting outside a Logan pub has been identified, as police plead with the community to help find the gunmen.
Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, 19, remains in a critical condition after being shot in the head and neck at Fitzy’s Loganholme on Saturday evening.
Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, 19, remains in a critical condition after being shot in the head and neck on Saturday. TikTok
The young woman was seen in social media footage dancing and laughing with her boyfriend just hours before the horror shooting unfolded.
Schuster-Togiatu was spending the evening at a boxing event at the pub when shots rang out about 8.15pm.
Police were quick to label her an innocent bystander who was caught in the crossfire.
But the motivation behind the shooting remains unclear.
Chief Superintendent Mel Adams on Monday said the young woman’s family was “distraught”.
“The families of the other victims are distraught,” she said.
“The wider community is questioning how can this happen in Logan.
“That’s a popular local pub, a well-respected institution. That location had children, teenagers, mums and dads at that sporting event.”
Among the other victims were three men aged 27, 37, and 38.
They remain in a serious but stable condition.
Schuster-Togiatau shared footage to social media dancing happily with her boyfriend just hours before the shooting. TikTok
Adams said the “popular ... well-respected” pub had been full of families enjoying the event as well as other patrons.
“That location has children, teenagers, mums and dads at that sporting event,” she said.
“All of those persons - not just the primary victims, all of those persons - will walk away from that incident with some form of trauma.”
In a plea to the public for information, Adams said police needed help to track down the gunmen responsible.
She said it was “time for community to come together and step up”, before praising the “extraordinary uplift” of people who wanted to help.
“I can tell you we will solve this crime. We absolutely will,” she added.
Four people are in hospital after a shooting in Logan, Queensland. Today
“There will be people out there who know who did this or suspect who did this.
“We need to hear from you.
“You are not sure if you want to tell us about it because it could be nothing.
“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.”
Police earlier said a Mitsubishi carrying two men wearing balaclavas had entered the drop-off area and multiple shots rang out in what they believe was a targeted attack.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the 19-year-old was one of the participants in the event and was preparing for her turn in the ring when she was shot.
She is believed to have been an innocent bystander.
Police are searching for two attackers. 9News
“It’s just incredibly tragic that somebody so young has been injured so badly,” Raven told Today.
Police are now searching for the two men involved, and two burnt-out vehicles have been seized from separate suburbs.
A community hub will be set up at the Logan Hyperdome tomorrow from 9am-5pm with representatives from Lifeline and victim support agencies.
The boxing event, organised by Logan City Titles, was meant to raise funds to help competitors compete for championships, Raven said.
He said the organisers were community-minded people who allowed many would-be boxers to train for free at their facilities.
“We are heartbroken about the incident that occurred at the fight night,” Logan City Titles said in a post online.
“Logan City Titles was a family event, an event for our community, showcasing local talent, hard work and everyone’s skills inside the ring.
“These types of incidents have no place in the boxing community or any part of the broader community.”
Raven called it “the most cowardly kind of attack”, noting that young children had been in and around the ring earlier.
“It’s not ‘targeted’ when you’re spraying bullets into a crowd,” he said.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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