‘Amazing’ father shot dead in ‘heinous’ murder next to his 7-year-old son in car on Father’s Day

Father-of-two Leevi Matuni Maseuli was found slumped in the driver’s seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound as his son sat next to him

An ‘amazing’ father was murdered in this car next to his seven-year-old son on Father’s Day.

Leevi Matuni Maseuli, 30, was found slumped in the driver’s seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the torso.

Horrifyingly, his son was in the passenger seat when officers were called to an intersection in the Southern California city of Long Beach around 8:45 p.m. on Father’s Day.

Police officials said paramedics helped father-of-two Maseuli until paramedics arrived before he was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Lt. Dominick Scaccia of the Long Beach Police Department.

Mr Maseuli’s son was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, although the boy was not hit by gunfire.

His sister Shalia paid tribute to her brother, saying he was “an amazing, kind hearted” father.

She wrote: “Leevi was tragically taken from us on Father’s Day. He leaves behind two children, Leevi Jr. “LJ” aged 7 and Kalia, aged 1.

“He was an amazing, kind, loving person. He was a son, brother, father and uncle. He is loved so much and will be missed forever.”

A motive for the shooting is unknown and a murder investigation has been launched, reports said abc7.

LBPD chief Wally Hebeish said: “To commit such a heinous crime under any circumstances is unacceptable, but to do so on Father’s Day in front of the victim’s child is even more disgraceful.

“This blatant disregard for our community will not go unanswered and our investigators are working diligently to identify everyone involved in the victim’s death.

“No child should ever have to go through an experience like this and I urge the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small, that might help us find those responsible for this callous act of violence.”

A GoFundMe Account was set up by the family to pay for funeral expenses.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call LBPD Detectives Michael Hubbard and Jesus Espinoza at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be called Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.