Supplied
Meliame Fisi’ihoi was shot in her home after hearing a noise and going to the window to investigate
A man whose mother was shot in her living room while watching television has denied ripping gang members off and being the target of an earlier shooting.
Stephen Fisi’ihoi’s mother, Meliame Fisi’ihoi, was shot at close range on the night of January 15, 2020, after hearing a noise outside and going to the window to investigate.
Brothers Viliami Iongi and Falala’anga Momooni Iongi; and their cousin Manu Iongi are accused of murdering the 57-year-old grandmother and are on trial at the High Court in Auckland.
Viliami and Falala’anga Iongi are also accused of shooting another man in a separate incident, six weeks before Fisi’Ihoi was killed.
READ MORE:
* Favona shooting: Son confirms he was dealing meth from cabin on property
* Grandmother was shot dead in case of mistaken identity after botched gun deal, court hears
The Crown says a botched gun deal between the Iongi brothers and Stephen Fisi’ihoi led to the shooting.
Stephen has confirmed to the High Court that he was selling methamphetamine out of a small cabin in the front garden of the family’s home in south Auckland.
Under cross-examination from Viliami Iongi’s lawyer, John Munro, Stephen Fisi’ihoi was asked about a phone call police received in March 2019, warning that a gang was after him.
Munro said about a month later, on Good Friday, there was a shooting at Stephen Fisi’ihoi’s home because he had “pissed off another gang”.
Stephen Fisi’ihoi denied knowing anything about the earlier shooting.
Munro said police visited Stephen Fisi’ihoi’s cabin a month later. “You’ve got two people there with you, keeping guard for you… for your protection because of the risk that you would be shot.”
Stephen Fisi’ihoi said he knew “nothing about it”. He also denied that the Killer Bees were after him because of his “affiliation” with the sister of the gang’s president, Josh Masters.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
The trial, before Justice Grant Powell and a jury, is set down for five weeks.
Munro said when police investigated the December 2019 shooting they determined two shots had been fired. One hit Stephen Fisi’ihoi’s friend and another went into the front of his cabin.
But Munro pointed Fisi’ihoi to evidence of bullet holes found in the side of the cabin and suggested they were from the earlier shooting. Stephen Fisi’ihoi again denied knowing anything about it.
Munro accused him of being dishonest. “You’re prepared to come to court this morning and lie, and lie, and lie.”
Stephen Fisi’ihoi denied that was the case. Munro then reminded the witness of his convictions that included burglary and stealing cars.
The lawyer also asked about a drug deal that is said to have involved a man known as “Snake” and members of Black Power. Stephen Fisi’ihoi said he had only been Snake’s driver.
Munro said Snake had told police he had a visit from the gang members after the deal. “Three guys came to his house because you sold them salt… He said they were asking for you, they wanted their money back.”
Stephen Fisi’ihoi said he was not involved but confirmed Snake had “mentioned” the visit.
Munro replied “He must’ve done more than mention it. If someone came round putting a gun to his son’s head… You ripped some Black Power off and they were looking for you with a gun.”
Munro suggested Stephen Fisi’ihoi had suggested a number of names to the police. “You’ve got all these gangs after you because you’re ripping everyone off and the easiest target for you are the Iongi brothers.”
Stephen Fisi’ihoi said that was not true.
