Tonga's police are very concerned that a hooded gunman is still at large three months after the shooting of a Tofoa shopkeeper Lena Ying Jin (54) last October.

Ying Jin is still disabled and in pain from the severe abdominal injuries caused when the cowardly gunman fired a .22 rifle at close range after trying to rob her small fale koloa on Vaha'akolo Road. Lena Ying Jin who was turning away from the robber was shot through the side of her back and the bullet passed through her body.

Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau said today they had not arrested anyone in relation to the shooting, and the police are very concerned that this criminal is still on the loose. He is appealing to the Tongan public to come forward with any information they may have relating to the shooting.

The gunman was described as wearing a red-hooded jacket with the hood pulled up over the sides of his face. He was about 1.74 m tall, young and dark skinned and spoke English with a Tongan accent.

"We made a public appeal straight after the incident last year, and we received information, which we pursued but it wasn't useful. We are open for any new information that might help with the investigation," he said.

Taniela said that while the investigation is continuing they have also alerted the local Chinese community to be cautious and alert.

The police have confirmed that the weapon used was a .22 calibre gun, which was identified by the small bullet that entered the victim's body, but they have not found any leads to the actual rifle.

Lives in fear

Meanwhile at Tofoa, Ying who was discharged from Vaiola Hospital in December last year lies helplessly in her bed, with her son James Bo Xie beside her.

The family of three, Ying, her husband and James still live behind their small retail shop where the shooting took place, are trying to cope with the situation.

James said that his mother is still very scared and cannot be left alone, and although they have returned home they have not reopened the shop.

"I cannot leave my mother alone and my father has to go work," he said.

In pain

James said that his mother is still in pain and can barely walk.

"Her injury has strained the nerve on her left leg, so she cannot stand or walk for long because it hurts too much.

"But she has started to eat normal food now, although she cannot digest hard food," he said.

Frustrated

James is frustrated that the police have not caught the gunman.

He said according to the latest update he received is there had been no progress on the case but the investigation is still ongoing.

"In my view I think the police are not doing enough because there are still cases of Chinese people being beaten and robbed after my mother's incident."

James feels that the police should do more to ensure their safety.

"I want them to reinforce their work efforts so as to better protect the Chinese community, because we have been living here for over 10 years, and we are contributing to the economy of Tonga," said James.