Fourth suspect still at large in tagger shooting case

Other three suspects plead innocent

By BEAU YARBROUGH
Staff Writer
August 31, 2007 - 5:58PM


Ricardo Real


Even as his three fellow suspects pleaded innocent to charges of murder in the shooting death of a 65-year-old grandmother Tuesday, a fourth suspect remains at large.

Robert Dominguez, 23, is not believed to have been the one who shot Seutatia "Sue" Tausili on Thursday night, August 23 -- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials believe suspect Ricardo Real, 19, who is in custody, is the shooter -- but was rather part of a group of "taggers" who confronted a Hesperia family, leading to the shooting death of Tausili and the wounding of her grandson.

Thursday, at 8:45 p.m., deputies responded to 911 calls about shots fired on the 11900 block of First Avenue. There they found Tausili, unresponsive and bleeding badly from a gunshot wound in her torso. Her grandson, Vaovasa Penusatelesatele, 25, had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.

The pair were apparently shot after Penusatele attempted to stop several Hispanic males tagging a trash container on his property with graffiti. Penusatele and other family members approached the "WMK" taggers and a fight ensued. During the melee, Real allegedly brandished a firearm, several gunshots were fired, striking Tausili and Penusatele.

Tausili was pronounced dead at Desert Valley Hospital. Penusatele was treated and released.

Real and brothers Brian and Brandon Dominguez, 18 and 20, were arrested. Deputies arrested Real on Aug. 24, and the Dominguez brothers on Aug. 25. Robert Dominguez, 23, is also being sought, and the sheriff's department is asking for the public's help in locating him.

The trio appeared in court Tuesday, pleading innocent to 16 criminal counts.

Real is charged with 11 crimes, including one count of murder, four counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault with a firearm, one count of felony vandalism (vandalism in excess of $400 in damages) and one count of street terrorism, with special allegations including personal use of a firearm and a gang allegation. His bail was set at $1 million.

The two Dominguez brothers are charged with felony vandalism, street terrorism, accessory to murder, and four counts of assault with the attempt to cause harm. Their bails were set at $500,000.

The trio's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

A memorial fund has been set up to defray funeral expenses for Tausili. Donations may be made to the Seutatia “Sueâ€