17 August 2021 Apia Samoa. A Father’s Day weekend drinking session at the village of Vailele turned ugly when an argument broke out and one of the men was attacked by others, suspected to have been bashed by timber “masalomia na sasa i laupapa”.
Deputy Police Commissioner and Police Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo told Samoa Global News the deceased, a man in his 40’s, was married with children and died several days later at the Motootua National Hospital from his injuries.
“We were called last Friday by the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.. informing us that the man who was attacked on Father’s Day weekend had passed away due to critical injuries sustained during the incident.”
“It’s quite sad because this is one of those drinking sessions that always turns ugly when there are disagreements between people drinking, even if they are friends,” Auapa’au said.
“Many lives have been taken because of these kinds of incidents (inuga fa’atasitasi) and the Police would like to call on the general public to please drink responsibly and try to avoid drinking sessions because this is the outcome,” he added.
Auapaau confirmed that a suspect is in custody with charges now upgraded to murder.