30 Dec 2014

Police officers shot at in American Samoa, one injured

7:05 am on 30 December 2014

Three police officers have been shot at in American Samoa during a routine police patrol.

One officer sustained bullet wounds in the shoulder, and has undergone surgery. LBJ Hospital says his injuries are not life threatening.

The chief of police, Tauese Vaa Sunia, confirmed that the shooting took place early yesterday morning, with preliminary investigations indicating the shooting was planned.

Several bullets had been fired at a police unit in front of the Janice Sewing Shop in Lepuapua.

One officer was injured while the other two escaped unhurt.

Polcie Chief Tauese says an attack on police is an attack on the public, and is asking anyone with information on the shooting to please come forward.

He dismissed reports that the officers were conducting a raid, saying the police were on a routine patrol when the shooting happened.

The shooting comes less than two months after the Leone substation was fired at in the early hours of the morning.