Suspect in shooting arrested and faces several criminal charges

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Armed police officers executed an arrest warrant for Solomon Siaumau Siaumau II last Friday in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on December 28th in Vaitogi. The operation took place at the Siaumau/ Samatua tire and auto shop, located between Tutuila Store and Good Vibes Bar and Grill. The defendant appeared in the District Court and is currently held in custody without bail.

Traffic was halted as police officers arrested the suspect, who was in a vehicle with another person. Authorities had been searching for Siaumau since the shooting incident, during which a gun was fired, injuring another man.

Passersby were shocked to see police officers armed and several police units present at the scene on Friday afternoon. 

Court filings reveal that police responded to a call from the hospital regarding a 59-year-old gunshot wound victim. At the hospital, the victim informed police that his nephew, Solomon, allegedly shot him.

The victim reported that the defendant had a history of coming to his home at irregular hours, often appearing intoxicated and accompanied by unfamiliar individuals, which raised ongoing concerns for the safety and security of the victim's household.

According to court documents on the date of the incident, the victim noticed a blue van parked in his yard, positioned between a 10-foot shipping container and a mango tree. He approached the vehicle to identify who was inside and to address Siaumau's continued presence on his property. 

It's alleged that when the victim reached the front passenger side of the van, he saw the defendant seated inside with a 12-gauge shotgun resting on his lap. The victim asked the defendant if he could see the firearm and reached into the vehicle to grasp the muzzle. 

At that moment, the defendant pulled the trigger, discharging the firearm and injuring the victim’s right forearm. After the shot was fired, the victim moved away from the vehicle, crying out in pain, while the van quickly reversed and left the area.

X-ray results indicated that approximately eighteen pellets were embedded in the victim's right forearm.

The defendant is facing several criminal charges, which include first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and second-degree assault.