Teen Critically Injured in Queensland Boxing Event Shooting

A 19-year-old woman is in critical condition and three men were injured following a drive-by shooting at a boxing event in Queensland, Australia, on Saturday night. Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau was shot in the head and neck at Fitzys Loganholme pub, south of Brisbane. The incident occurred during the Logan City Titles Fight Night, which was reportedly attended by young families.

Just hours before the shooting, Schuster-Togiatau posted a video on TikTok appearing carefree, lip-syncing to Justin Bieber songs in a car with her boyfriend. The video has since been flooded with messages of support from well-wishers.

Police stated that at least six bullets were fired from a Mitsubishi ASX, which was later found abandoned and set ablaze in Waterford West. Two masked individuals are suspected of involvement and remain at large.

Authorities have indicated that Schuster-Togiatau was not the intended target. "Her family is distraught," Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Mel Adams said on Monday. "The families of the other victims are distraught. The wider community is questioning how can this happen in Logan?"

Adams described the venue as a popular local pub and a well-respected institution that was hosting a sporting event attended by children and families. "It’s a legitimate sport and people should be able to go there and enjoy their time with their families in that sporting environment," she added.

While the motive for the shooting is yet to be established, police noted that elements of pre-planning suggest the incident was not random. Taskforce Maxima, a specialist unit investigating organized crime, is assisting local detectives. "I can tell you we will solve this crime. We absolutely will," Chief Supt Adams stated. "But to do that, we need community input and we need community support."

She urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. "This could have been your family member," Adams said. "This was a random group of people at the front of a popular hotel who became victims. So if you know something, help us with this investigation."

Phil Austin from the Australian National Boxing Federation Queensland has refuted speculation linking the boxing meet to bikies or organized crime, calling such suggestions baseless. "I haven't seen any reputed organised crime figures at a fight show in this country in years," he said, adding that bikies are rarely seen at such events since government laws changed. Austin also noted that he did not recognize the wounded victims and could not confirm if they were attending the boxing, suggesting other activities might have been taking place at the venue. "We have no idea why what happened happened. The only thing that we know for sure is it's a tragedy."