Getaway driver too scared to tell cops who shot dad dead at pool hall

A court has heard a getaway driver is too afraid to tell police which of his mates murdered a father of five by spraying bullets into a crowd gathered outside a western suburbs’ pool hall in 2021.

A killer getaway driver is apparently too scared to tell cops the identity of his shooter mate that murdered a father of five by spraying bullets into a crowd outside a western suburbs pool hall.

Nikola Latuhoi, 28, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ikenasio ‘Sio’ Tuivas – a man he did not know – who was killed in a drive-by-shooting with a bullet to the temple as he stood with friends and family in the carpark of Ravenhall’s All Star Lounge, in February 2021.

Accused gunman Sekonaia Vave – who a jury found not guilty of murder – turned up “with other members of the Comancheros” to watch Latuhoi’s hearing on Friday, where Justice John Champion slammed him and others for illegally taking photos inside the Supreme Court.

Sekomain Vave was ultimately found not guilty of murder. Picture: Ian Currie

Crown prosecutor Erin Ramsay spoke about Vave’s presence in court as she addressed Latuhoi’s refusal to “provide information about who the shooter was” and help authorities solve the crime.

Earlier, defence barrister Daniel Gurvich KC said Latuhoi couldn’t give his co-accused up “because of a genuine fear for his safety”, both in custody and in the community.

Justice Champion said that refusal to assist authorities was “something of a hurdle” to the getaway driver demonstrating remorse after he “facilitated the killing of a human being”.

“He knows who the shooter is,” Justice Champion said.

“How am I supposed to make a finding of remorse … ?”

His Honour also challenged the “remarkable” claims that Latuhoi only knew about the gun and the plot “seconds” before the shooting.

Father of five Ikenasio Tuivasa was killed in a Ravenhall drive-by shooting. Picture: Supplied

Evidence suggested the weapon was a long barrel rifle, and that both the driver and the shooter took the time to put on face coverings to shield their identity.

In Vave’s murder trial in August, the jury heard that Mr Tuivas, 33, may not have been the intended target of the shooting.

Another man, Reza Amir, copped a bullet to the thigh and survived.

The night before the deadly drive-by, his girlfriend had an argument with Vave’s girlfriend.

Vave was found not guilty of murder and attempted murder or the alternate charge of homicide by firearm.

The Supreme Court on Friday heard Latuhoi, who admitted his role just before the August trial, went on the lam after the shooting, selling his getaway car to a man for $500.

Despite assuring his mum he would hand himself in, he was arrested four months later when he was found in a stolen car with stolen licence plates and a machete.

Earlier, the man at large had confessed to his mother: “There was a fight and someone died, sorry mum, it wasn’t me that did it, it was someone else but I took dad’s van.”

Police at the scene of a drive by shooting at Ravenhall. Picture: David Crosling

Forensic police look at the car belonging to the man that was killed on February 28, 2021. Picture: David Crosling

While Latuhoi was in police custody over the stolen car, officers realised he was wanted for questioning over the Ravenhall shooting, and he’s been behind bars ever since.

Ms Ramsay questioned whether Latuhoi was actually remorseful – as his defence lawyer had tried to argue – or whether he’d just shown “regret for the circumstances that he finds himself in”.

She said the victim was “a completely innocent member of the public standing in the carpark of a pool hall when he was shot in the head at close range” while standing next to his brother and cousin.

At the time of his death, she said Mr Tuivas had taken leave from work during the pandemic to homeschool his five children, aged between eight and 14.

Now suffering the “profound” impact of his loss, his kids had been left without a father, and his partner forced to provide for them alone.

His loved ones did not attend court for the killer driver’s hearing, nor did they wish to provide victim impact statements.

But some family members did watch the proceedings online.

As Latuhoi was removed by security from the court, he kissed a woman on the cheek goodbye as others called out, “love you”.

He is expected to be sentenced next year for a crime that carries a maximum 25 years jail.