Tongan policeman’s son killed in US shootout remembered as man of faith

The 20-year-old Tongan man who was gunned down in a shootout in the United States early this week was described as a man who committed to his faith and took special care for his sister.

William Huluholo Greathouse Fifita Jr’s  body will be laid to rest on Monday while Police investigation is currently underway to find out his killer.

It has been revealed Fifita Jr’s father, William Huluholo Fifita Snr,  is currently a Policeman in San Bernardino County, California.

Fifita Jr was the eldest of six children, two brothers and three sisters,  and they were devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

His family was described as “very close happy” and he and his cousins called each other “brothers and sisters”.

Fifita Jr had recently completed two years of missionary service that is often undertaken by young parishioners of LDS church.

The car-to-car shooting that killed Fifita Jr occurred near the border between Gardena and Hawthorne after Fifita and three others were returning home after a church function in Torrance.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said a dark-coloured sedan pulled up and opened fire on the victims’ Volkswagen Jetta about 2:15 am Monday 21.

Fifita who was the driver of his car was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The two male passengers were also struck in the upper torso and taken to a hospital. Their condition was still unknown. A woman was also in the car but was unhurt.

Fifita Jr’s death has left family and friends with many treasured memories of him.

“Our family is a very close happy family … and we are mostly members of The Church of Jesus Chist of Latter-day Saints. We believe in God the Father & his Son Jesus Christ & in the Holy Ghost,” Fifita Jr’s cousin Kolokiholeva Sekona Fifita said.

“We will meet with Junior again through Christ Jesus atoning sacrifice.

“There is no ill feelings towards those that took William Jr.’s life.

“We pray for them. That is what Junior would like his families to do. Forgive.

“William Jr. His whole life he committed to his faith… family & education.

“He was a 4.0 student. He had several cousins. They were all very close and called one another brothers and sisters.

“He was very close and watched over his sisters protecting them”.

Kolokiholeva confirmed Fifita Jnr’s “dad is a policeman” and is named after the Late President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Dr. Huluholo Moʻungaloa.

The Fifita family come from Kolovai, Fo’ui  and Kanokupolu.

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