Tongan grandmother

Grandmother killed by bullet intended for her son, Auckland court hears

In January 2020, Meliame Fisi'ihoi was watching TV in the sitting room in the early hours of the morning, when she got up to check a noise she heard outside her Favona home, a court has heard.

The mother of six went to the window, raised her right hand and opened the curtain.

As she looked out, a gunshot was fired from close range, killing Fisi'ihoi instantly.

The court heard the 57-year-old woman's husband and younger children were home in bed at the time.

The Crown says the bullet was meant for Fisi'ihoi's eldest son after a botched gun deal.

Trial date set for fatal arson suspect

He is scheduled for a March 27 preliminary hearing, East Palo Alto media reported.

Authorities said Tau thought it was the residence of rival West Side Tonga Gang members.

He is charged with arson and murder in the 19 Feb 2019 death of Susana Tonga, at her South Humboldt Street home.