The alleged male shooter in two petrol station shootings in Fanga and Veitongo on September 5 was further remanded in custody, while his two co-accused, his elder brother and a teenage girl were released on bail, after they appeared at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 24.

The Police Prosecutor said today, ‘Alamoni Makafilia (30) the alleged shooter was remanded in custody, while his brother Salesi (37) and Paea Tu'itupou (18) were released on bail upon strict conditions.

All three have been similarly charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery and are due back at the lower court on October 15.

However, it is expected that more charges will be laid against the alleged shooter relating to firearms and bodily harm, when he re-appears in court.

Injuries

Tonga Police had reported the first shooting took place at around 3:00am, where it is alleged that the male shooter disguised in a mask approached the Konifelenisi Trading Ltd. petrol station at Fanga, in Nuku'alofa, and opened fire into the building.

Armed with a .22 semi-automatic rifle, he demanded cash before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle that was parked at the station.

A male security guard at the petrol station sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm. 

Later, at around 4:00am, it is alleged that he again approached the Luna'eva Petrol Station in Veitongo, armed with the same rifle, demanded cash from a 31-year-old male station attendant.

The accused shooter and the station attendant got into a fight, where he shot the attendant four times, before fleeing the scene leaving behind the firearm as well as his disguise.