2 men arrested months after 2-year-old boy is shot in the face while dad is killed execution-style

SAN MATEO, Calif. (TCD) -- Two men who allegedly shot and killed a man in his driveway, injuring his son in the process, were arrested this week in faraway states.

According to the San Mateo Police Department, John "Talia" Paasi was taken into custody in Charlotte, North Carolina, while Isileli Mahe was arrested by FBI agents and other officials in Hawaii. The two suspects will be extradited from their respective locations back to San Mateo County.

The incident in question reportedly occurred Oct. 30, 2020. San Mateo Police said in the statement officers responded to a shooting call that morning at about 9:40 a.m. on the 1600 block of Eleanor Drive. Officers found Ueta Savelio Muasika Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds after he was "ambushed in the driveway of his residence." He was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the course of the shooting, Muasika’s 2-year-old son was shot in the face.

In a press conference, San Mateo Police Chief Ed Barberini said Muasika was gunned down as he was putting his son in the car to take him to school. The little boy has recovered from his injuries.

According to Barberini, Mahe and Paasi allegedly shot Muasika execution-style 14 times.

He said, "These suspects were not only lying in wait to commit the crime, but they did it without any concern for public safety, our city, or any children present."

Barberini believes Muasika's death was "personal and targeted."

Senior Detective Nick Morsilli said in the press conference he suspects the shooting is related to a potential role Muasika played in the death of Susan Tonga, an 85-year-old woman who died in a fire in 2019 that was deliberately set, but he did not elaborate on their reasoning.

Morsilli added Paasi and Mahe were not identified as suspects until late in the 18-month-long investigation, but Morsilli believes they "arrested the two suspects responsible for this crime."

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