There could possibly be more than three students charged as a result of a brawl which occurred at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) on Tuesday according to Samoa Police.

The incident which was also captured in a video led to three students being directed to police on the day it happened while five more were suspended.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga said despite that it's been an issue for police to convince the students involved to cooperate in the investigations, it will not stop police from doing their job.

"The issue here is, it's difficult to get the other student to say the truth and say something against the other student but investigations are ongoing," he said.

"Yes those that have been brought in are still being investigated but by the looks of it from the video, there are more students involved so there is a possibility that there will be more students to be brought in for investigations and charged as we get deeper into the seriousness of this matter."

Asked for more specific details on the investigations, Leiataua said investigations by police will possibly be completed by this weekend and only then, more information on the charges can be confirmed and released.

N.U.S Vice Chancellor, Tuifuisa'a Patila Amosa confirmed that eight N.U.S students who were involved in the brawl have been suspended with three of them being investigated by Police.

Meanwhile, there is also concern among students that this was not the end of the matter as more fights associated with this one could take place.

Tuifuisa'a stressed that the police's investigation is independent and is separate from the university's own disciplinary actions and policies. She said other students will be suspended as well.

In response to questions by the Samoa Observer earlier this week, she explained that Tuesday's brawl stemmed from a fight that started a couple of weeks ago at Samoa College.

The suspension of the students according to the V.C. is based on the schedule of penalties stated in the university's Statute on Student Conduct (2014); page 407 of the 2023 calendar.

Asked whether there were any weapons used by the students during the brawl, Tuifuisa'a said as far as the students being interviewed were concerned, it was a fist fight and no weapons were used.

Meanwhile, Tuifuisa'a said there will be some changes to the university's disciplinary actions and policies due to this brawl. The university is looking to increase the suspension period to two weeks and prior to their suspension, N.U.S. will also have a session with these students’ parents and after the suspension, there will be mandatory sessions on anger management.  

"Should the same student be involved again in any future altercations – it will be immediate expulsion," she emphasised.

The Vice Chancellor added that the University has always had a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violence on campus but as a learning institution, they also give young immature students second chances to learn from their mistakes and hopefully make amends amongst each other.

"We would however review our security patrols and increase our security personnel on duty to beef up student campus safety," she added.

One of the students who helped stop the brawl on Tuesday, Fagasau Avapalu said he understands that one of the teenagers involved in the brawl does not attend the university and is an outsider who lives close to the N.U.S.

"Everyone is talking about it that one of them doesn't study at N.U.S and we heard the fight between those boys is about a girl and again, that's what everyone is talking about here," he said. "Other students and I tried to stop the fight yesterday and we also heard that there was also almost another fight today but it didn't happen."

The 19-year-old said the brawl and involvement of more students is a nuisance to his studies.