FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Uatesoni Joseph Paasi

IN-CUSTODY

On June 4, 2021, at approximately 7:46 PM, SJPD Patrol Officers responded to the area of 4100 The Woods Drive for a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, Officers located one adult male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect had shot and killed the victim in front of the victim's family due to a dispute over a parking space.

SJPD Homicide Unit Detectives began a comprehensive investigation and identified the suspect as Uatesoni Joseph Paasi. Suspect Paasi immediately fled the United States and was believed to be hiding in Mexico.

On November 22, 2025, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and Mexican authorities, Suspect Paasi was located and arrested in Rosarito, Mexico.

On December 2, 2025, SJPD Detectives extradited Suspect Paasi back to the United States and booked him into Santa Clara County Main Jail for murder.

“If you want to play hide and seek, know that we will find you, no matter what country you cower in,” stated SJPD Chief Paul Joseph. “Our relentless pursuit of dangerous and violent suspects is not defined by borders. There is no place on Earth a murderer can hide from San José Police.”

“We pursue violent offenders who believe they can run from justice and not be held accountable for their actions,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, task force commander. “The arrest of Uatesoni Paasi demonstrates the great relationship we share with the San Jose Police Department and our shared commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice.”

This was the City's 19th homicide of 2021.

Every murder is tragic, but some haunt detectives forever.  When the victim of this case was shot and killed in front of his family, by a remorseless suspect who quickly fled the country and became a fugitive, the entire SJPD Homicide Unit and the elite SJPD Covert Response Unit was committed to finding the killer and bringing him to justice. We commend Lieutenant Vallejo, Sergeant Barragan, and Detective Harrington for dedicating four years of their lives to locating and arresting Uatesoni Paasi, wherever he was hiding.  After countless hours of chasing leads and uncovering clues, they narrowed their focus to a town in Mexico and enlisted help from the relentless United States Marshals Service.  The collaborative operation, involving agencies on both sides of the border, was incredible. Significant arrests are no accident. They are the result of grit, determination, and passion for justice.   

We would like to acknowledge the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force in Northern California, the U.S. Marshals Service Mexico Investigative Liaison Unit, and Mexican authorities in Baja, California for their assistance in the apprehension and arrest of Suspect Paasi.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Barragan #4106 and/or Detective Harrington #4365 of the San Jose Police Department Homicide Unit at: 4106@sanjoseca.gov and/or 4365@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-5283.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.