Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — All of the six victims of the alleged shooting incident in Fagalele, Leone on Christmas evening are calling out the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Attorney General’s office for a complete investigation into this matter where their lives were in danger after almost ten gunshots were fired at them with the intention of killing them.

All of the six victims from this incident visited the Samoa News office yesterday morning to reveal more information about what allegedly happened — this came after they found out that the main suspect in this case was released by the court, on his own recognizance.

“We feel that this matter wasn’t investigated well and we’re afraid that the court has released into the public a dangerous man who shot at us with the intention to kill us,” one victim told Samoa News during an exclusive interview with all of the six victims in this case.

Another victim counted his blessings saying that he thanked God he was able to look at the beautiful sun the morning after the alleged shooting.

“I thought I was going to die because the first bullet went straight by me and I saw the suspect Patelesio Mckenzie standing on his land while shooting a gun at us,” one victim recalled.

“I could hear like two more bullets flying past me and my two cousins and when I turned around I saw Patelesio pointing a gun in the direction where we were standing, and had a flashlight in his other hand,” another victim recalled.

During the time the defendant was shooting at them, the defendant’s sister was shouting and cursing saying, “This is what all of you guys want, one of you guys is going to die tonight.”

Another victim told Samoa News that after they heard the defendant’s sister telling them that “one of you guys is going to die tonight,” two of his cousins started running away and he could see a blue light looking for them and he heard more gunshots. As soon as they got to the stairs, the victim stated that he could hear like two more bullets flying past him and his cousins. Once they got to their car, his two cousins called the cops and the lady was still screaming and yelling cuss words and the man was still shooting his gun at one of them and one of them threw a rock at one of the houses.

According to the victims’ statements to Samoa News, police arrived about 30 minutes after they reported the incident. During the interview process at the Leone Police Substation (LPS), all victims were given the opportunity to prepare a statement and tell his/ her side of the story.

One witness stated that he had a lot of questions for the lead investigator, however, she kept telling them that there was nothing to worry about. The lead investigator also assured them that Patelesio (suspect) would face consequences for his actions and there was no probability that the court would release him from custody.

 “We were shocked when Patelesio was released from jail despite his intention to kill us by shooting his gun at us.”

According to one victim, they waited for the lead investigators to inform them about the outcome of the investigation, however, when they called her and asked her questions, she seemed afraid and told them that she felt harassed by their many phone calls and messages.

“I’m very disappointed by the police officer who handled the investigator. This is a very dangerous incident that involves lives of six innocent people when a cowardly man with a gun in his hand fired at us with the purpose to kill us. It was very disturbing and annoying when I think about how this case was handled,” one victim said.

All of the six victims are calling out to the AG’s office and DPS to work together to carefully investigate this matter and bring felony charges against the suspect.

“This man deserves to be locked up in prison without any release whatsoever while his case is pending. We must protect the safety of our people especially everyone who always goes to Fagalele for swimming.”

One victim described Fagalele as a favorite and peaceful place for everyone to have a good time and swim. However, ever since this incident happened, Fagalele is no longer a safe place for anybody especially young children. She said that they have known this place since they were little kids but ever since this man Patelesio and his sister came down to the village, everything changed.

“If we’re in fear for our lives dues to the incident that allegedly happened last week when Patelesio shot at us, then, young children of our village must also fear for their safety because guns are involved,” one victim said.

BACKGROUND

Police arrested three men from Leone during a public peace disturbance matter that allegedly involved a firearm. All three men appeared in District Court where two of them were officially charged while the third man was released when the government decided not to file any charges against him.

For the two men who were charged and arrested, one man is accused of firing a gun at several people swimming in the ocean on Christmas evening, while the second man is accused of walking towards a police officer with a machete.

Patelesio Mckenzie and Loma Eneliko made their initial appearances in District Court this past Monday.

Mckenzie is charged with one count of disturbing the public peace, one count of unlawful use of a weapon; one count of possession of unlicensed weapon; and one count of unlawful discharge of arms, all misdemeanors.

Eneliko is charged with one count of 3rd degree assault and one count of disturbing the public peace, both misdemeanors.

Both Mckenzie and Eneliko were released on their own recognizance after their initial appearances pending their next court appearances subject to several conditions from the court, including not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victims in this case nor their family members.

Pretrial Conference is scheduled for next month for both defendants.