Siaosi Moataane Fatu Foou, a 28-year-old man of Pacific Islander descent, was killed in a burst of gunfire in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 21, 2014. His death brought a second layer of tragedy to his family, as they had gathered at a home in Hawthorne, California, precisely to make funeral arrangements for another loved one who had recently passed away. The shocking violence that claimed Siaosi’s life left his family to mourn two losses instead of one.
The fatal encounter occurred at approximately 3 a.m. in a residential neighborhood on the 4000 block of West 138th Street. Just after the family gathering had concluded, Siaosi was outside on the street when the shooting erupted. According to news reports from the time, it was a chaotic and violent scene, with more than 40 shots fired. It was unclear to investigators whether the gunfire came solely from an assailant or if there was an exchange of shots. Relatives told reporters that Siaosi lived in the area and may have been walking home when he was attacked.
When deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrived, they found Siaosi suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:28 a.m. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office later confirmed the cause of death was homicide due to the gunshot wounds. The neighborhood, a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings just a few miles east of the Hawthorne Municipal Airport, became an active crime scene as detectives began their work.
The investigation was handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, one of the most experienced and well-resourced homicide units in the country. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, investigators detained two individuals for questioning, though their connection to the incident, if any, was not clarified, and no public announcements were made regarding their status. The motive for the shooting remained a mystery, and authorities did not release any description of a suspect or a getaway vehicle.
In the years since Siaosi Foou was killed, his case has grown cold. There have been no publicly announced arrests or significant updates in the investigation. The initial questions surrounding the shooting—who fired the shots and why—remain unanswered. For a family already grappling with loss, the lack of justice and closure has only compounded their grief. The case highlights the difficult challenges that law enforcement agencies face when investigating violent crime, especially when motives are unclear and witnesses may be hesitant to come forward.
The homicide of Siaosi Moataane Fatu Foou is a reminder of the lasting trauma that sudden violence inflicts upon a family and a community. As of late 2024, his murder remains an open and unsolved case with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Authorities continue to ask for the public’s help and urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.
