Police say they are “sympathetic” to the family of a man who died during a shootout during a 2012 drug bust, but are pleading with the family to be “patient” now that an investigation has finally finished.
The Police report detailing their findings from an investigation into the death of Faleatiu father Sami Rapi Lelevaga in 2012 is now with the Attorney General’s Office.
Confirmation of that came yesterday from Acting Police Commissioner Fauono Talalelei Tapu.
He was unable to confirm whether the ballistics report from a New Zealand Forensics Unit was ever passed on to suspended Police Commissioner Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo.
The unit came to Samoa following the drug bust that resulted in a gun fight. Fauono said the “AG’s office has the Samoa Police report”.
“And I understand that this man’s family wants closure by finding out what really happened.”
He agreed that the case has taken sometime to determine where the bullet that fatally wounded Mr. Lelevaga came from.
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At the time the family alleged the bullet had been fired from one of the Police officer’s guns that fatal morning.
But Police at the time continued to suggest that it was best to wait for the outcome of the investigations.
Over a year later the family is still waiting for that outcome.
Earlier this month Sami’s aunty Mugi Satui Talimatasi P Faisauvale spoke to this newspaper about the challenges her nephew’s wife and children are facing.
“He was a matai that served the family, the village, and he was a husband and father,” she said.
Mugi claims her nephew must have died from a bullet while he was looking through a hole of the house he was sheltering inside during the crossfire.
Fauono is asking the family to please be patient as the case file is now with the AG’s office.
He is also urging that they await some word from suspended Police Commissioner Lilomaiava regarding the matter.
He also assured that “just because the matter has taken very long it doesn’t mean there won’t be a decision”.
“I’m sympathetic about the long wait but there must always be a decision.”
Police have in the past denied firing first – a denial matched by the family.
The family say that they have been waiting too long.
Mugi said that her nephew's wife continues to live alone with their children at their home and she continues to carry the burden of what really happened on that day.
“That is why we want to know about the findings of the Police Investigations – we want to know what really happened – the truth.”
Mugi continued to tell of Sami’s wife’s situation especially since her family is very concerned about the woman and her children.
“It has been very difficult for her and the children and we provide most of the care any way we can for them.”
But the most concerning thing was Sami’s youngest was only 5 months when he died.
“What we want to know is whether there was ever any investigation, what the findings were and will anyone be charged for my nephew’s death,” she said.
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