Two arrested in connection with 2020 retaliation slaying
Authorities on Monday announced two arrests in an 18-month-old shooting that left a San Mateo man dead and his 2-yearold son seriously wounded, saying that the man was slain in retaliation for the 2019 killing of an 85-yearold relative.
At 9:40 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2020, San Mateo police officers were called to the 1600 block of Eleanor Drive for a report of a shooting. They arrived to find Ueta “Juice Boi” Muasika Jr. had been shot several times. Muasika's 2-year-old son also had a gunshot wound to his face. Police said the shooting was premeditated and appeared to be “execution style.”
Muasika was pronounced dead at the scene. The toddler was taken to a trauma center and recovered from his injuries.
In a news release, police described the shooting as “targeted” and said Muasika and his son were ambushed in the driveway of their home.
Through an 18-monthlong investigation, detectives identified 29-year-old John “Talia” Paasi and 30-yearold Isileli Mahe as suspects in the shooting, police said. Authorities on Monday arrested Paasi in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Mahe in Honolulu, Hawaii. The men split their time between the Bay Area and the states in which they were arrested, authorities said.
At a Tuesday news conference, San Mateo police said the suspects were motivated in part because they believed Muasika was involved in the February 2019 arson fire that killed 85-year-old Susana Tonga, a relative of Paasi's. Police said the blaze was a “targeted gang-related attack” and arrested 28-yearold East Palo Alto resident Fifita Tau, who pleaded no contest to first-degree murder earlier this year and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, according to court records.
“I can't speak to the suspects in this case but we do believe it played in a role in this most recent homicide,” said San Mateo police Detective Nick Morsilli.
Authorities said they don't have any information regarding whether Muasika's son was also a target. It took police 18 months to identify suspects, gather evidence, get arrest warrants and apprehend the two men of out state, Morsilli said. Police also fielded anonymous tips and conducted interviews with neighbors the day of the shooting.
The investigation is ongoing and police are still investigating the case. Authorities said they don't believe there are other suspects; they also do not have further information on whether more retaliation could occur.
“We're hopeful that this arrest will show how far San Mateo Police Department will go to get justice for its citizens and is enough to stop any kind of retaliation.”
Police have been in constant communication with Muasika's widow and last spoke with her Monday after the suspects were arrested, authorities said.
“It's fair to say that she was emotional,” Morsilli added.
Paasi and Mahe are awaiting extradition to San Mateo County, a process that usually takes between 30 to 90 days.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Sgt. Paul Pak at 650-522-7660 or pak@ cityofsanmateo.org.