Samoan Police have paid tribute to Detective Sargent Perite for his"unwavering dedication to upholding the law and protecting the vulnerable". Photo: Facebook / Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services
An alleged double murderer hiding in dense bush was caught and arrested on Tuesday following a large manhunt in Samoa.
The 58-year-old farmer is accused of shooting and killing of two men, including a lead homicide detective.
Samoan police confirmed he was captured in Fasito'o, on the northwest coast of Upolu.
A 20-strong team of detectives and tactical unit police carried out the search for the accused gunman.
Detective Sergeant Peniamina Perite was investigating an horrific family dispute and was trying to arrest the suspect when he was shot with a .22 rifle, police said.
Family violence leads to fatal shooting in Samoa
Deputy police commissioner Papalii Monalisa told RNZ Pacific that a police shooting like this was extremely rare in the country and there was shock and outrage in the community.
"We have not had a case like this since 1996, so it was very unexpected and unfortunate that it arose out of a domestic incident," Monalisa said.
She said Perite, a dedicated and exemplary officer, died at the scene after he and other unarmed officers tried to arrest the suspect.
"The homicide unit was investigating a domestic-related shooting that occurred the previous night, whereby the suspect shot his ex-wife's new husband," Monalisa said.
"So it is a domestic-related case whereby the ex-husband shot his wife's new husband. The deceased also had other injuries from a machete.
"We are unable to confirm whether the deceased from Sunday night died as a result of the gunshot wounds or from the injuries that he received from a machete that was used by the suspect."
A post-mortem examination would need to be held to determine the cause of death of the 62-year-old man from Nofoali'i.
She said it was a painful, tough time for the police in Samoa, and the officers who accompanied Perite would receive support and counselling.
The Samoa Observer reported the suspect has historical convictions for drug-related and theft offences.
Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo has paid tribute to the invaluable contribution made by Perite and expressed his sorrow to the families of the deceased.