Deputy Involved In Shooting To Undergo Surgery

A deputy who shot a football player during a struggle is scheduled to undergo surgery from injuries he sustained from the encounter.

Frank Tanusava, 20, of Palm Desert was killed in the Feb. 23 struggle that followed a home invasion robbery of a home on Michigan Drive in Palm Desert.

Roman Tausanga, 22, Dyrenell Kardia Robinson, 20, both of Palm Desert were arrested on suspicion of the robbery and have pleaded not guilty. Both remain behind bars at the Indio Jail.

Lt. William Sullivan provided new details of the shooting to Palm Desert Public Safety Commissioners on Wednesday. He said that he is concerned for the deputy, who has been placed on administrative leave.

“There is no doubt in my mind that knowing the details of this, if it was not for him (the deputy) and his will to survive that he would be dead right now and a bad guy would have had a gun,” Sullivan said.

The lieutenant added that he believes two other deputies would have been killed as well because the deputy was "ambushed."

"During the struggle the suspect hit him in the shoulder, dislocating his shoulder. His arm was basically useless," Sullivan said, adding that a bone was cracked as well.

He said that Tanusava went after the deputy's gun and "proceeded to drag him around with his gun by the holster."

Sullivan express concern about the deputy's recovery.

"I’m just hoping he gets his full use of his arm back," the lieutenant said.

Palm Desert City Councilwoman Cindy Finerty asked Sullivan, who is the new assistant chief of police for the city, to send good wishes to the deputy.

"Please give our best ot the injured officer and his family," Finerty said.