A male security guard at Nauti Ruby's Bar on the Faua Wharf at Ma'ufanga, was today charged with the murder of a man in his early 20s, whom he allegedly beat up with a baseball bat on Friday night, February 9.

Police today said the assault took place outside the bar when the accused allegedly beat him up with the bat.

"The victim was immediately hospitalized. We were informed by the hospital at 4:00pm yesterday, that the victim had passed away after he sustained severe head injuries," said the spokesperson.

The accused was initially charged with grievous bodily harm but now he faces murder charges and remains in custody.

The victim who has not been named by police is from Havelu and Halaleva.

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Meanwhile, a visitor to Tonga told Matangi Tonga today that she witnessed a brutal assault in the Nauti Ruby's carpark last Friday night. The woman, a caregiver from Australia, said she was shocked by what she had seen and checked to make sure the victim was taken to the hospital. She had visited Vaiola Hospital numerous times since Friday where she understood the victim had received two surgeries to his head. She was at the hospital yesterday with his family when he passed away. She said the victim was Sione Lau'i, a young graduate dentist.