Slain dad Ikenasio Tuivasa may have been innocent victim of outlawed bikie gang rivalries

The family of a man killed in a drive-by shooting in Ravenhall has begged the shooter to come forward after revelations he may have been shot by mistake.

The family of a loving father suspected of being killed by mistake amid a rival bikie gang feud say they forgive his killer but want answers.

Homicide detectives have released new vision of a dark grey Toyota HiLux involved in the shooting death of father-of-five Ikenasio Tuivasa, 33, and serious injury to another man outside Ravenhall’s All Star Lounge on February 27.

The fresh clue came as Mr Tuivasa’s father, partner, sister and cousin bravely fronted the media in a bid to help police catch those responsible.

Mr Tuivasa’s father said his son was a “good boy” who looked after his family, including dropping groceries at their home every Saturday.

Ikenasio Tuivasa’s father and sister get emotional at a press conference at Victoria Police headquarters. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Remarkably he said he had already forgiven the person who took his son’s life but begged them to come forward to face justice.

“I already forgive and forget — but I only want one thing. I want to see who did this,” he said.

“It won’t make Ikenasio come back … he’s gone. But I want to ask who did this … please if you know anything about the killer, come forward.”

Mr Tuivasa’s partner said he was a “loving and devoted partner and the best father to his five kids” all aged under 11.

“He was loyal to his family and loved by so many,” she said.

“He never got to say goodbye and he didn’t deserve to be killed this way. He leaves behind a heartbroken family who just want answers. It won’t bring him back but will bring closure and peace.”

The father, sister and cousin of Ikenasio Tuivasa front the media at Victoria Police headquarters. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Two Pacific Islander men were inside the dark grey 2017 Toyota HiLux SR5 dual-cab ute where the shots were fired from.

Homicide squad boss Detective Inspector Tim Day said the occupants of the vehicle drove toward a group, including Mr Tuivasa, and shouted something in Tongan before discharging the fatal shots.

Investigators believe Tuivasa was an “innocent victim” killed by mistake.

One theory held by detectives is that the shooting is linked to troubles between the Hells Angels and Comancheros, who were involved in a separate altercation at the venue the previous night.

Detectives are also considering the possibility the shooting related to a feud within the Pacific Islander community.

Mr Day believes the wanted vehicle could have been traded to a third party to try cover the killers’ tracks.

He said the vehicle would contain valuable forensic evidence which could help them crack the case.

“People get greedy and sometimes betray their tradecraft. We believe therefore the vehicle may still be in existence and may have been offloaded to a third party,” he said.

“If this is the case, this would provide investigators with a significant avenue of forensic inquiry to follow up.”

Shooting victim Ikenasio ‘Sio’ Tuivasa.

The Herald Sun can reveal members of the Hells Angels and Comancheros regularly attend the Westwood Drive venue, some of who had been involved in a separate altercation the previous night where a gun was produced.

Homicide squad boss Detective Inspector Tim Day said OMCG members were “generally not rocket scientists”.

“It is not outside the realms of possibility our victims on the night are the innocent victims of a rivalry between OMCG’s who have either targeted the wrong group or just indiscriminately fired into the crowd,” Det Insp Day said.

“The type of characters running around in OMCGs are generally not rocket scientists and there are a number of examples over recent years of OMCG’s not doing their homework and killing an unintended innocent victim.

“Detectives have made extensive inquiries into Mr Tuivasa’s background and found no discernible motive for the crime.”

Police will also probe a number of other altercations involving members of the Pacific Islander community at the same venue and other similar venues in the northern suburbs to determine any links.

A ute police believe was involved in the fatal shooting.

A 34-year-old Endeavour Hills man was also seriously injured by the bullets, who at the time told said it was “random”.

“Wrong time, wrong place,” the victim said.

The ute involved sped away towards Ballarat Road, and was last seen travelling on the Western Highway towards Rockbank.

Both occupants were Pacific Islander in appearance and it is believed the gunman spoke Tongan.

Detectives have released images and CCTV of the vehicle, a dark grey 2017 Toyota HiLux SR5 dual-cab ute with a chrome roll bar on the rear tray and stock wheels.

Anyone who recognises it or can help identify the two occupants is urged to come forward.

Motorists who may have dashcam footage are urged to preserve it and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.