By Sylvester Gawi – EM TV, Lae
Relatives of Lae mother of two, Moanna Pisimi, who was shot on New Year’s Eve, are now calling on police to carry out thorough investigation into events that led to the shooting.
Family members from Butibam Village say they won’t proceed with funeral arrangements, until police identify suspects involved in the shooting.
Lae Police Chief Superintendent Ivan Lakatani says investigations started immediately after the incident, and the person responsible will be dealt with accordingly.
At the Haus Krai (mourning) in Butibam Village, community leaders and family members gathered to grieve. The fatal shooting of Moana Pisimi on the early hours of New Year day brought them together.
While immediate family members have been unable to speak on camera, community leaders are concerned about police investigations possibly falling short of identifying the suspect, and that justice will not be served.
They want investigators to deeply look into the events that led to Moanna’s death at the Malahang back road area.
The 24-year-old mother of two was killed by a bullet fired through the back window of her vehicle. One of her vehicle’s back tires was also shot.
The family’s response comes after Lae Cheif Sup. Ivan Lakatani stated that the shooting followed a high-speed car chase by a police and a security vehicle.
Reports from Lae police stated that the car chase started after Moana Pisimi bumped into the gate of the Theodist stationary shop along Markham Road.
Police began investigations immediately after the incident and are still waiting for a post mortem report to verify the type of weapon used.
While there hasn’t been any suspect identified yet for the shooting, the family members don’t want this case swept under the carpet.
Mid last year, Moanna’s father Peter Barnangi was also found dead in his vehicle at the Waratahs Sports Club in Lae.
To date, the cause of his death still remains a mystery and family members say they don’t want this to happen in Moanna’s case.
There is now a strong public outcry on social media for justice to prevail in Moanna’s shooting. They want the shooter to be identified and punished.
While family members have called on Lae police to fast-track investigations, the Metropolitan Commander says it will depend on the cooperation of eyewitnesses.
