Samoa's Police Commissioner says no charges have been laid following the accidental death of a 9-year-old boy who was shot last Wednesday.
Samoa's Police Commissioner Egon Keil Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Police are investigating the incident in Siumu where the boy was shot in the head by his 10-year-old cousin.
Egon Keil says the 12-gauge shotgun was unregistered and there were no adults at the scene.
He says it is unfortunate that the gun had not been kept in a safe place.
"The kids were horse-playing and one of the kids got a hold of the rifle and accidentally, or we don't know for sure if it was done purposefully, but he pulled the trigger. But of course it wasn't intended to kill the 9-year-old."
Egon Keil says the incident has devastated the family and the village.
He says there are no plans to bring charges of negligence.