Gunman who shot a police Detective Sergeant faces double murder charges

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 24 July 2024 – A man of Fasito’o-uta village, Mua’au Pokati Tu’u faces two counts of murder, 1 count of manslaughter and 1 count of being armed with a dangerous weapon and will appear in Court 26 August 2024.

The accused is in police custody in connection with the shooting of a man from Nofoalii village last Sunday night and followed by the death by shooting of Detective Sergeant Peniamina Perite on Monday when the police officers went along to arrest the accused.

The accused had been on the run since Sunday night. He was apprehended on Tuesday and brought directly to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) hospital for treatment of injuries to his face and head allegedly at the hands of some of the villagers who helped the police catch him.

Images of the accused’s injuries have gone viral on social media with mixed public reactions.

The Police Commissioner said the incident started with a domestic matter allegedly involving the accused’s ex-wife and the man who was shot on Sunday night.

The accused is known to the police as he had served prison time for various offences.

The Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said there is a possibility of additional charges against the accused.

Members of the Police force gathered to pay tribute to the late Detective Sergeant Peniamina Perite outside their headquarters last night.

Tributes to Detective Sergeant Perite
The death of the detective sergeant have prompted a flow of emotional tributes from his colleagues and members of the public.

A banner of the fallen officer placed in front of the Police headquarters in Apia have become a space for flower tributes from colleagues and members of the public. Some of the officers held vigil with lit candles and flowers and sang songs and shared thoughts of their relationship with Sergeant Perite, the day after he was shot.

The family of Sergeant Perite has request the release of his body for burial but were told the Court has to decide whether a post mortem should be conducted on not.