A U.S. national is accused of traveling to New Zealand to commit a murder at the direction of a criminal organization before returning to the United States, where he allegedly attempted another murder.
Murder in New Zealand
The man is charged with the August 2024 killing of Auckland courier driver Tuipulotu Vi. Police believe 59-year-old Vi was not the intended target.
Authorities allege Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi, 26, was sent to New Zealand by a U.S.-based organized criminal group to carry out the killing. Court documents indicate Tangi acted with persons unknown in the murder.
Vi was found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Attempted Murder and Arrest in California
Following the killing in New Zealand, Tangi allegedly attempted to murder a man in Oakley, California, in August 2024. Oakley police responded to reports of a shooting around 3 a.m. on August 27, where residents reported hearing gunfire and seeing a dark-colored Ford F150 fleeing the scene.
Police pursued Tangi after initially pulling over the vehicle. He was arrested after officers spiked his tires. Police stated the shooting was a targeted attack.
Tangi is charged with attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, fleeing a pursuing police officer, and possession of a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial next month. He faces a potential life sentence with the possibility of parole.
Extradition and Investigation
An extradition warrant exists for Tangi in connection with the New Zealand murder. The District Attorney’s office in California is aware of the warrant and expects the extradition process to begin after the conclusion of the California case.
Two other individuals have been charged in connection with Vi’s death and are currently before the courts. Police confirmed a third person has been charged with murder as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Block, began on August 19, 2024, following Vi’s death on Marvon Downs Ave. The suspect currently in custody in the United States is subject to the extradition process.
Authorities are limited in providing further information due to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. Requests for comment from government agencies, the FBI, Interpol, and Tangi’s lawyer have either yielded no comment or a refusal to comment.
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