A 24-year-old man who allegedly shot two women seriously injuring one at Vaipua Bridge in Vava’u had allegedly used a .22 rifle during a confrontation with another group of people early Saturday morning 23 January.

Tonga Police today said the accused from Leimatu’a living in Falehau has been charged with possession of illegal firearms and grievous bodily harm and remains in police custody.

He is expected appear at the Vava'u Magistrate’s Court on 2 February.

The incident, which took place after 5:00am, is said to have been a confrontation between the accused and another group of people who were at the bridge at the same time. The two women victims shot were alleged to have been sitting inside a vehicle belonging to the other group.

It is alleged that one of the men from the other group of people smashed the accused's car window with a rock as he drove off from the bridge. This angered the accused who left the bridge to return later in car with the rifle. He allegedly shot at the other group who were still at the bridge.

The injured Tongan woman, aged 50, who was shot on her right shoulder is reported to be in a stable condition in hospital. She is visiting Vava’u from the United States.

Meanwhile, the other woman a 24-year-old who sustained minor injury as the bullet grazed her head, was released from hospital early this week.