Police have confirmed stabbing as the cause of death of Canberra Comancheros chapter commander Pitasoni Ulavalu in Civic on Saturday night but would not reveal whether they had seized the weapon involved, nor as yet identified any suspects in the homicide case.
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Detective Superintendent Scott Moller from ACT police said a specialised team had been assembled to run the case which included members of its Taskforce Nemesis, which is focused specifically on disrupting the activities outlaw motorcycle gangs, as well as homicide team detectives and intelligence units.
Mr Ulavalu bled out on the footpath of Bunda Street, Civic just after midnight on Saturday following a wild and bloody brawl inside Kokomo's nightclub.
It was thought the death may possibly trigger potential payback by the Comancheros against rival bikie gangs in the ACT but Superintendent Moller has dismissed this suggestion. However, he would not elaborate further.
But he has confirmed that other members of the Comancheros were with Mr Ulavalu in the nightclub at the time of the fight.
Mr Ulavalu's lawyer, Peter Bevan, has confirmed that Mr Ulavalu had only recently had bail conditions lifted which allowed the bikie boss to attend a licensed premises.
Mr Ulavalu had been under a series of bail restrictions as a result of a previous altercation with rival Nomads gang members at the Southern Cross Club.
The amount of evidence gathered by police in this homicide case has been significant and will take some days, and possibly weeks, to work through.
It includes CCTV vision from inside and outside the nightclub, mobile phone footage, a huge amount of forensics, and statements from patrons.
"I'd like thank . . . those people who have provided this information and footage to use; that will be crucial to the investigation as it develops," he said.
He also urged anyone else who has information or footage that has not yet been provided to police to contact Crime Stoppers, which they can do anonymously.
"This is quite a shocking incident in Canberra but we would like to let the community know these are very rare incidents," he said.
A second man injured in the incident, who is known to police, has recovered enough to speak with police and has since been discharged from hospital.
"This is a very, very complex investigation," he said. "In terms of forensics, and ongoing witnesses that we need to speak to, there's a detailed amount of information we need to collect before any charges are laid."
He also said this incident should sound a warning to any young men contemplating joining an outlaw motorcycle gang.
"There's every opportunity you will be used by the club to commit crime, be arrested and serve time in jail," he said. "We've seen these these violent outcomes and sadly, people dying, because of their involvement with outlaw motorcycle gangs."
