Crime & Safety

Tearful COD Student Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Shooting Burglary Case

Former College of the Desert football player Roman Tausaga, 22, was arrested in connection with a burglary that occurred early Thursday in Palm Desert and that culminated in the fatal shooting of a teammate.

A College of the Desert former football player accused in a home invasion robbery that culminated in the fatal shooting of a teammate by a sheriff's deputy pleaded not guilty today.

Roman Tausaga, 22, was charged earlier in the day with a felony count of robbery and burglary with allegations that he used a firearm stemming from the break-in at a home in the 77800 block of Michigan Drive last Thursday in Palm Desert.

Tausaga shed a few tears just before his case was called as his mother and other supporters sat in the courtroom.

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Riverside County Superior Court Judge Victoria E. Cameron ordered Tausaga to return to court for a March 1 bail review hearing and a felony settlement conference.

The judge set bail at $1 million.

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Tausaga was arrested Feb. 23 by sheriff's deputies investigating the break-in, according to sheriff's Deputy Angel Ramos.

After the alleged burglary, a responding deputy saw a man running from the area, Ramos said.

"A struggle between the officer and the suspect ensued,'' Ramos said. "During the physical confrontation, the officer fired his service weapon at the suspect, injuring him.''

Frank Tanuvasa, 20, died at a hospital about an hour after being shot just after midnight on Feb. 23.

Tausaga is the second of three suspects that investigators said burglarized the home. A third suspect is still at large.

Tanuvasa, a College of the Desert football player who came to the desert from East High School, is from Anchorage, Ak.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, according to the sheriff's department.

To read about the break-in and shooting, please click here.


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