A father who entered a primary school armed with a gun has been charged for possession of an unauthorised and unlawful weapon.

The charge was confirmed by Police Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil, who said a search warrant was executed at the man’s home where unlawful weapons were found. 

“There were two unlawful handguns recovered and he was brought in and charged,” said Fuiavailiili. 

“From the appearance and handling of the weapon, we believe it's functional.”

The Police Commissioner said a story published by the Samoa Observer in relation to the man being allegedly armed at the Utuali’i and Tufulele Primary School triggered the Police to pursue the matter.

“When I read the article, I wasn’t aware of this case so we went and explored it a little further and activated some of the procedures we haven’t done,” he said.  “We got the search warrant and went to his house and found the guns. 

"These are very dangerous weapons that can easily be concealed and be carried without being noticed.”   

On Tuesday, the Samoa Observer published a story about an angry father who had grievances about school closing time entering allegedly entering the school with the gun. 

School principal, Leaumoana Sikuava Ajawas, said parents waiting for their children allegedly saw the man with a gun. 

Leaumoana said the father, who resides in Faleasi'u, was apparently unhappy with the inconsistency in the hours the school finishes. 

“I was told that he was shouting to the teacher that was inside the classroom expressing how he was unhappy with the school not finishing early [at 1 p.m.],” said the principal. 

“The teacher who was teaching at the time told him to come see me [where I was upstairs teaching at the time]. 

“He wasn’t happy with the response from the teacher but the parents that were outside saw the man with a gun…he later drove off leaving his children here at school.” 

Asked if the man is facing any charges in relation to allegations of entering the school premises with a gun, Fuiavailiili said no. 

After speaking to the school principal, teachers and some of the parents, the Commissioner said there was not enough evidence that indicated the man walked in the school with a gun. 

However, he is calling on any parents who might have information about the man allegedly carrying the gun in the school to come forward and report it to Police.