Police arrest 41 year old for shooting Streetlights

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 18 June 2026 – The Ministry of Police has arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with damaging streetlights in an urban residential area.

The man was arrested after police viewed a video that went viral on social media showing the man “shooting and damaging a public streetlight.”

According to a police statement posted on its social media page, the man used a firearm for unlawful purposes.

“The reckless or unlawful use of firearms is a serious offence and will not be tolerated as it jeopardises public safety and community wellbeing,” says the statement.

In Parliament this morning, the Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi referred to the incident and again emphasized the need for the public to protect public assets as any damages affect not only the Government but everyone.

He said he ordered police to investigate the incident when someone posted the shooting on social media and led to the arrest.

He said these unruly incidents mainly involving young people need to be addressed and he again appealed to the Village Councils control to ensure public safety and assistance to look after public assets around the country.

The Prime Minister was responding to the issues raised by the Faasaleleaga 1 MP who referred to an unoccupied area at the Salelologa township that has been used by some businesses and the public as a rubbish dump.

The MP, Leatigaga Lauina Iiga offered the Ministry of the Environment to employ people from his constituency to supervise and look after the area and protect it from being misused.