Apia, SAMOA —  A 47-year-old father has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of his 14-year-old old son, who was struck on the neck with a machete. The father was overly intoxicated, according to Samoa’s Police Spokesperson, Su’a LeMamea Tiumalu who expressed a huge concern in this case.

“He was overly intoxicated and he couldn't remember why he did what he did... It’s heartbreaking for this young life to be murdered at the hands of his father,” said Su’a.

Responding to Samoa News questions, Su’a explained that the incident occurred last week in Falelauniu Uta, where the father was in a drinking session and upon his return home, he got into a verbal argument with his wife. It’s alleged the wife left the house and the father instructed his son to go get his mother, however when the son returned to the house without his mother, the overly intoxicated father struck his son with a machete.

Su’a further stated the child — the son — ran to the neighbor’s house for help. The neighbors called the police for assistance. Su’a also confirmed the father is facing murder charges which is punishable with life imprisonment.

The defendant, who is in custody of the police, is scheduled to make his initial appearance in the Supreme Court on February 27, 2017.

Su’a also spoke generally on the rising number of criminal cases caused by those who consume alcohol way beyond the limit.

He told Samoa News that a night of heavy drinking could lead to blackouts and not remembering what you did the night before.

Su’a said there was a new study from the University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences that suggests it’s not as though people do “drunken things” because they're not aware of their behavior, but rather they seem to be less bothered by the implications or consequences of their behavior than they normally would be.

“For now, drinking a little too much is essentially creating a version of you who will be more than happy to make stupid choices. So, as always, drink safely,” he said.