The Werribee-based police sergeant involved in the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man in Tullamarine in the early hours of Friday morning is expected to make a full recovery from the injuries he sustained.
Four shots were fired at Guelah Ahokava, of Deer Park, after a 40-minute police chase ended with the sergeant being pinned against a Tullamarine factory by a car.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman has confirmed the sergeant was based at Werribee and is expected to make a full recovery.
Friends and family members took to social media on the weekend to pay tribute to Ahokava.
One posted: “I’ll never forget you brother, I’ll always remember the times we had good sparring matches. You are the best. Still in shock. Missing you already.”
Another wrote: “I know if you were here you’d say to stop crying and smoke up.”
But it wasn’t all positive, with many taking to social media to post vitriol against the police.
Others took aim at the deceased on his personal Facebook page. One user wrote: “I guess crime doesn’t pay.” Another posted: “Thug life fail.”
Two men have been arrested and charged following the incident.
An 18-year-old Deer Park man has been charged with 17 offences, including five counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, seven counts of theft of a motor car and one count each of criminal damage by fire, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police, reckless conduct endangering life and commit indictable offence while on bail. He was remanded in custody to appear in the Sunshine Magistrates Court on September 20.
A 22-year-old Derrimut man has been charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of theft of a motor car and one count of dangerous driving while pursued by police, reckless conduct endangering life and handle stolen goods. He was remanded in custody to appear before the Sunshine Magistrates Court on September 19.
– with The Age
