Staff at a popular Canberra city bar and nightclub are shocked, but unhurt after a fight broke out inside the venue and spilled out into Bunda Street, leaving one man dead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Comanchero bikie boss Pitasoni Tali Ulavalu was killed in a brawl that began in Kokomo's late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Police are yet to formally identify Mr Ulavalu, known as Soni, as the 48-year-old man who died, and do not have anyone in custody.
Mr Ulavalu bled to death in the street outside despite the best efforts of paramedics to save him.
Bloody images from within the bar reveal the viciousness of the fight.
Police would not comment if weapons had been involved.
The owner of Kokomo's, Michael Harrington, said counselling was being offered to staff, and management was checking in daily with those affected.
"It was gut wrenching to see the place like it was," Mr Harrington said.
"We're just so grateful that none of our staff were hurt, but plenty of people saw the aftermath. I don't want the staff to have those images in their heads."
READ MORE:
Harrington said the venue hoped to reopen as soon as possible and he praised the police for the way they have handled it.
"We'll wait for the police to do what they have to do and then we have to get on with it. They've been great and there's been good communication."
It's another blow for Kokomo's, which has struggled during the COVID restrictions, according to Harrington.
"It's been limping along," he said.
"It's probably our venue that has been struggling the most because it relies on atmosphere. When a 500-person venue is restricted to 110 people, it's going to suffer."
The venue only reopened on June 24 after a three-month period of required shutdown due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Detective Inspector Matt Reynolds from ACT police has appealed for anyone who has footage or information about what occurred in the bar just before midnight on Saturday to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00.
"There were a number of patrons and witnesses in the premises at the time ... and we're asking anyone who has video or CCTV or phone images in relation to this incident to contact ACT Policing," Inspector Reynolds said.