Potential gang involvement in the fatal drive-by shooting of a 19-year-old woman is being investigated by police.
Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, from Jimboomba, was hit in the head and neck when masked gunmen opened fire into a crowd outside Fitzy’s Loganholme, a pub in Brisbane’s south, on Saturday night.
She died in the Princess Alexandra hospital on Thursday morning.
Three men, aged 27, 37 and 38, were also hospitalised. One is recovering from surgery while the other two have been released.
Police are searching for those responsible for the attack, which happened on a night when the venue was hosting a boxing event.
Det Insp Ian Galpin was visibly emotional as he announced the young woman’s death to the media.
He offered his condolences to Schuster-Togiatau’s family and friends, adding that about 80 police officers were involved in the murder investigation.
“We will not stop until these people are identified and taken into custody,” he said.
“I’d ask our community to reflect on the fact that a 19-year-old woman, in the prime of her life, was simply going out for a night out with friends and has had her life taken from her in the most cowardly way.
“There are people out there who know exactly who was involved in this offence and exactly why this occurred.
“I’m asking those people to be brave enough to come forward with that information.”
Det Insp Galpin said the young victim’s family was “not doing well” and had requested their privacy be respected.
“It’s an incredibly difficult time for them, I can’t imagine the hurt that they’re going through,” he said.
He also said police were keeping an open mind in relation to possible gang involvement.
“We will not stop until these people are identified and taken into custody,” he said.
“If that leads to the identification of gang members, their associates or other forms of organised crime, then that will certainly expand the scope of our investigation.”
