Juvenile a suspect in youth beating

Police have arrested a suspect behind the alleged assault of a 17-year-old at the Savalalo bus station a fortnight ago.

The suspect is a juvenile and is currently in custody with the Samoa Police Service also acknowledging the assistance of the Vaimoso Village Council for turning him in.

An incident which was recorded on video and posted on Facebook on May 16 showed the suspect allegedly assaulting the victim while the suspect’s peers looked on.

The Police have appealed to the public to use social media rightly and not spread and instigate violence.

"Samoa Police Service wishes to advise the public that the use of social media is for good, positive and appropriate practice. Furthermore, the use of social media to instigate violence sheds negativity on our Christian community and Samoan customs and values,” states the Police statement.

“The arrest of this young man should be a deterrent for those who are contemplating inappropriately using social media to commit a crime, harass, or intimidate others. There is no future in being incarcerated and breaking the law.” 

One of the vendors who sells pork cakes at the bus station, Taliga Tautua, said a young man was arrested by the Police last Saturday over a brawl that occured in the afternoon involving teenagers. 

"I am glad that the kid who did that to the young boy has been arrested, but there was another fight that took place over here last Saturday. One teenager was taken by the police. This gang issue is now coming back, they always hang around in groups at the market harassing students. And as a parent that is not good," he said.

"Looking at the kids who are doing these stupid acts is just irritating, they should be in classes to get a good education in order to have a brighter future and instead they roam around and do this act that is not acceptable.”

Mr Tautua said seeing such acts in public at the bus station by youngsters angers him as he believes they are supposed to be in school learning and equipping themselves for the future.

"Looking at the kids who are doing these stupid acts is just irritating, they should be in classes to get a good education in order to have a brighter future and instead they roam around and do this act that is not acceptable," he added.