Ikenasio ‘Sio’ Tuivasa shot dead outside pool hall in Ravenhall drive-by shooting

Homicide detectives say a dad shot dead outside a pool hall in Melbourne may not have been the gunman’s intended target.

Homicide squad detectives are probing whether a man shot dead outside a pool hall in Melbourne was not the gunman’s intended target.

Ikenasio “Sio” Tuivasa, 33, of Deer Park, died in hospital on Sunday morning after he was shot multiple times while standing outside the All Stars Lounge pool hall in Ravenhall about midnight.

Another man – a 24-year-old from Williams Landing – was also seriously injured in the drive-by shooting outside the Westwood Drive venue.

On Sunday afternoon, police said they were still trying determine to motive for the shooting but there was nothing in Mr Tuivasa’s background to suggest he would be shot dead.

Homicide squad detective Sergeant Simon Quinnell said his family were very upset and finding it difficult to explain why a night out ended in such a tragedy.

“He was a family man and certainly someone you wouldn’t expect this to occur to,” Sergeant Quinnell said.

Shooting victim Ikenasio “Sio” Tuivasa. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve looked into the deceased’s criminal background, very little is there and certainly nothing to suggest anything that he had been involved in would lead to this.”

But Sergeant Quinnell said there was also no information at this stage to suggest it was a random attack.

He said police believed there were two occupants in the car where several shots were fired from as they drove past the pool hall.

The car was last seen fleeing towards Ballarat Road.

The second victim returned to the scene on Sunday afternoon to collect his car where he told reporters it was “just a random”.

“Unlucky, wrong time, wrong place,” he said.

Police at the scene of a drive by shooting outside a pool hall in Ravenhall. Picture: David Crosling

Family and friends took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Tuivasa, who was a much-loved father, brother and friend.

“I can’t imagine the pain you went through till your last breath,” Mayra Piniata wrote on Facebook.

“The pain I’m going through, it is not easy, but I’m being strong for our kids. Our kids miss you sooo much. I promise I will take care of our babies.”

“You took a piece of my heart with you so make sure you look after it properly OK,” Poleen Fereti Tareke said.

An injured victim who was shot in the leg returned to collect his car on Sunday afternoon. Picture: David Crosling

“We love and miss you soo much our brother, rest in gods loving arms bro till that glorious day.”

Georgina Brown said “a beautiful soul gone too soon”.

“Waking up to sad news, RIP cous Ikenasio Tuivasa,” one relative said.

“Stay strong family, still in shock and lost for words right now.”

Homicide squad detective Sergeant Simon Quinell. Picture: David Crosling

Forensic police collect evidence at the scene of a fatal shooting in Ravenhall. Picture: David Crosling

Police said they were yet to determine the model or make of the car where the fatal shots were fired from.

Friends drove Mr Tuivasa to hospital after the attack where he died from his injuries.

Homicide squad detectives, forensics officers and uniform police spend Sunday probing the scene collecting evidence.

Police have also seized CCTV of the incident that may help solve why Mr Tuivasa was shot.

No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information has been urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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