The man shot dead after a police officer was pinned against a wall had a history of violence and firearm offences

THE young driver shot dead by a police officer, whom he had pinned against a wall while revving an allegedly stolen van, had a history of ­violence and firearm offences.

Kuela Ahokava was shot dead by police in Tullamarine on Friday.

THE young driver shot dead by a police officer, whom he had pinned against a wall while revving an allegedly stolen van, had a history of ­violence and firearm offences.

Kuela Ahokava, 23, also known as Guelah, had a warrant issued for his arrest in April last year.

Ahokava, from Deer Park in Melbourne’s west, was wanted in relation to affray, assault, criminal damage, drug and firearm offences in the Footscray and Deer Park areas.

Yesterday, his brother, Penisimani Ahokava, 22, and Joshua Iviiti, 18, who were arrested after the police pursuit and shooting early on Friday, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Kuela’s older brother, Tai, told the Sunday Herald Sun he was still in shock at his brother’s death.

He was at the court with other family members to support Penisimani, who is facing a raft of charges. Tai said his little sibling Kuela would always lend a helping hand to those in need.

“I’m still in shock. He was a brother to me,” he said. “It happened completely unexpectedly. It’s just been a long day, I don’t know what to say.”

The fatal shooting occurred after a long police chase which began in Werribee and ended in Tullamarine when a sergeant pulled his gun and fired as he was pinned against a factory brick wall by the van.

Kuela Ahokava was shot dead by a police officer in Tullamarine.

The Sunday Herald Sun has been told Kuela, who has a baby son, had been rising through the criminal ranks for several years and had become involved in gang culture. The officer who opened fire at the 23-year-old has been described as an experienced investigator who worked for the CBD-based crime command before working in Melbourne’s north.

He sustained some bruising to his leg in the incident and was taken to hospital.

A magistrate yesterday refused Penisimani Ahokava bail, with the court hearing of his alleged week-long crime spree leading up to Friday morning.

He is facing eight charges including stealing a motor vehicle and driving recklessly putting persons in danger.

The court heard that Penisimani had allegedly reversed a stolen van into a police vehicle at a factory in Tullamarine, ­before driving down the Tullamarine Freeway on the wrong side of the road.

Sergeant Andrew Eyries told the court Ahokava was an unacceptable risk. “My concerns are he is going to continue to offend,” he said.

The other alleged offender, Iviiti, is facing 18 charges and did not apply for bail yesterday.

Outside court, another older Ahokava brother, William, described his dead brother as “kind”.

There are nine children in the family. Their parents, who live in Tonga, are on their way back to Melbourne for the funeral, the court heard.

There were tributes for Kuela on social media with some associates posting anti-police vitriol.

His partner Daniela Kolta, mother of his baby son, posted: “RIP Babe. You will never be forgotten Jordon and I love you forever.’’

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