Father Of Slain COD Football Player Mourns Son

The father of a slain College of the Desert football player spoke out Wednesday about how his family is dealing with the loss.

A week ago, Frank Tanuvasa, 20, was shot to death during an officer-involved shooting in Palm Desert while police were responding to a burglary call, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

“I need to see if that’s really my son,” said Nero Tanuvasa, the father. “I have to take him home.”

Home is Anchorage, Alaska. That’s where Frank Tanuvasa grew up, and where Nero raised his son.

“I still can’t believe what happened to him,” said nero Tanuvasa. “I still can’t take it, because I know my son, and my son wouldn’t do something like this.”

Nero Tanuvasa said he felt several emotions, including sadness mixed with frustration, during the five days that have passed since he landed in the Coachella Valley. Not once has he been allowed to see his son’s body.

Frank Tanuvasa’s remains have been taken to a mortuary in the city of Riverside, and Thursday will be the first time Nero Tanuvasa will be allowed to visit.

“I told them I want to put clothes on him,” said Nero Tanuvasa. “I want to put a suit on him and fly him back.”

Funeral arrangements have been set for a burial on March 17 in Anchorage, but it’ll be a few days until the body is allowed to leave the mortuary.

The mortuary is awaiting the proper clearance from the Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau and the County Department of Health.

In the meantime, Nero Tanuvasa is still coming to grips with the fact that his oldest child of seven is dead. He had big dreams for Frank, who was considered a football star.

Family and friends expected him to make it all the way to the NFL.

“I always (told) my son, ‘I want you to set a good example to your little brothers,'” said Nero Tanuvasa. “‘I want you to start a good thing, so that way your brothers will follow what you’re doing.'”

The Tanuvasa’s thanked the community and students at College of the Desert for their support.

Hundreds gathered last Friday for a candlelight vigil on the football field where Frank Tanuvasa made his name.

Friends described him as a protector.

Nero Tanuvasa said the same of his son, a 6-foot-6-inch 370-pound offensive lineman.

Nero Tanuvasa said he’s heard several stories as to what happened the night his son died, and why his son was there.

Frank Tanuvasa’s 22-year-old roommate, Roman Tausaga, has been arrested for his alleged role in incident and pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to robbery and burglary charges related to the incident involving Tanuvasa.

Frank Tanuvasa got into a struggle with an officer, and was then shot and killed, and a third suspect is still at large, authorities said.

Nero Tanuvasa said his son wasn’t armed at the time, and he just wishes police would give him more information — the whole story.

Nero Tanuvasa said he wants the real reason why he has to bury his son.

“When I talk to the investigators — the police — it looks like everything is blamed on my son,” said Nero Tanuvasa. “It looks like he’s the one at fault, but I don’t think so, to tell you the truth — no.”

The officer involved in the shooting is on paid administrative leave.

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the struggle.