Police are on the hunt for a murder suspect in connection to the Fa’atoia homicide on Wednesday last week where a man was found dead after sustaining a gunshot wound. 

Acting Police Commissioner, Lafaitele Herbert Aati said no arrests have been made in connection to the homicide case. 

“Investigation is ongoing and suspects have been identified in this matter,” Lafaitele said in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. “Our media team will be releasing images of the suspects for public awareness.”

The Samoa Police Prisons and Corrections Services (‘SPPCS’) uploaded the photo of the suspect on their Facebook page on Monday night. 

Police appealed to the public for any information that may lead to the location of the man identified as Semisi Aliimatafitafi. He is from Matautu, Apia and Faleasiu. 

The public is advised to contact the Police immediately or to report to any police station nearby the sighting of the suspect while noting that "he is considered armed and dangerous, and not to be approached".

Police also warned the public that it is a criminal offence when one knowingly harbours someone who is a known criminal and is wanted by the Police. 

The suspect is believed to be a relative of a drug offender currently serving time in prison after being found guilty of possession of methamphetamine and marijuana in a 2019 incident.

Court records show that the drug offender, Pitoitua Aloese of Fa’atoia was sentenced to 3 years in jail in March 2021 for the 2019 raid. 

He pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of utensils and was used by the prosecution as a star witness to prosecute several others caught by Police from the 2019 raid. 

On the day of the incident, Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the deceased is believed to be in his 30s to 40s and was alone at the time Police arrived at the crime scene. 

He said Police were responding to calls from neighbours who reported hearing gunshots from the residence. Police also believe the incident is drug-related. 

There are a number of homes in the Fa'atoia area that have been targeted by Police raids in recent years which has led to law enforcement authorities confiscating firearms, drugs as well as utensils.