An elderly Chinese couple operating the Princessa Tafaigata Supermarket were left shocked and traumatised after they were held at gunpoint on Tuesday night. 

The assailant, whose face was concealed and armed with a rifle and knife, aimed the weapons at the 61-year-old shopkeeper, causing significant distress to the couple.

The terrifying incident unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. while the elderly man was preparing to close the store.

His wife was busy stocking shelves, and their son was in the bathroom when the intruder entered through the back door. The son, who spoke on behalf of his parents said his father froze in fear as the suspect demanded he walk to the front of the store, where he threatened him with a knife pressed to his neck.

“My father was in absolute shock when the gun was pointed at him,” their son told the Samoa Observer. “He did not know how to react.” The family's dogs were barking vigorously during the ordeal, which drew the wife’s attention.

Upon seeing her husband in distress, she screamed for help and urged someone to call the police. This outcry startled the intruder, prompting him to flee the scene without any money or items.

In the aftermath of the break-in, CCTV footage was shared on Facebook, garnering widespread sympathy from the Samoan community for the elderly couple. The couple, who prefer to remain anonymous, have lived in Samoa for over six years, having previously operated a supermarket in Toamua before relocating to Nu’u-Fou just a year ago.

The son, Li Chen expressed concerns over threats they have received in the past.

Mr. Chen revealed that just last Thursday, a young man had entered their store, demanding money and cigarettes. When Mr. Chen refused, the individual threatened him, saying he would return with a gun. “I have submitted all the CCTV footage to the police for their investigation,” he stated.

Local authorities responded promptly to the incident, visiting the store to gather information. Mr Chen suspects that the intruder may be the same young man who threatened him previously, underscoring the growing unease that many shop owners are feeling in the area.

When asked about their sense of safety in Samoa, Mr. Chen replied cautiously, “A little bit.” He recounted a similar incident during their time in Toamua, where they reported threats to the village council. “But you know, so many drunk men cause trouble here. Once they’re drunk, they come here and threaten us,” he lamented.

Fortunately, no one was harmed during this alarming incident, but the psychological trauma lingers as the couple grapples with the unpredictability of their security.