A 19-year-old Queensland woman has died in hospital, days after being critically injured in a brazen drive-by shooting at a suburban pub south of Brisbane.
Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, from Jimboomba, was enjoying a night out at a boxing event at Fitzys Loganholme on Saturday when gunfire erupted. She sustained life-threatening wounds to her head and neck during the attack, in which two masked men opened fire on the crowd. She passed away at the Princess Alexandra Hospital following a desperate struggle for survival.
Logan District Detective Inspector Ian Galpin confirmed the transition of the case to a homicide investigation, condemning the act as a “cowardly” attack on a young woman in the prime of her life.
“A 19-year-old woman… who was simply going out for a night out with friends has had her life taken from her in the most cowardly way,” Detective Inspector Galpin said. “We have not stopped and we will not stop until these people are identified and taken into custody.”
Ms. Schuster-Togiatau was one of four people struck during the incident. The other three victims—Zachary Uchtman, Brodie Blackwood, and Kane Barrett—were also transported to hospital. Authorities confirmed today that two of those men have since been discharged, while one remains under medical care.
With approximately 80 detectives now assigned to the investigation, police are working to unravel the motive behind the violence. While officials are not ruling out the involvement of organized crime gangs, they maintain that there is currently no evidence suggesting the victims were specifically targeted.
“We are keeping a very open mind to the involvement of gangs,” Detective Inspector Galpin said. “That said, our priority now is to identify the persons involved and the reasons for this offence occurring.”
The investigation has been bolstered by a significant influx of information from the public, which police continue to solicit. Detective Inspector Galpin issued a direct plea to those who may have knowledge of the shooters or the planning behind the attack.
“There are people out there who know exactly who was involved in this offence and know exactly why it occurred,” he said. “I’m asking those people to be brave enough to come forward.”
Logan City Mayor Jon Raven expressed his heartbreak over the tragedy, noting that the community is in mourning for the young local. “The 19-year-old Logan local was deeply loved by her family, friends and community,” he said. “I cannot comprehend the pain they are going through.”
Police also praised the actions of patrons at the venue, who provided critical first aid to the victims in the chaotic moments immediately following the shooting.
As the search for the suspects intensifies, police have vowed to provide the family of Ms. Schuster-Togiatau with every possible support during this “incredibly difficult time.”
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