Tonga Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a youth from Paho during a fight at Kolofo’ou, on Saturday night, 16 September.

At midnight on Saturday, Police responded to a report of a youth fight at Mangaia, Kolofo’ou, which resulted in the death of a 16-year-old male.

The Police arrested two male youths from the scene of the crime and later received a report from Vaiola Hospital confirming the death of the 16-year-old victim, who suffered severe head and body injuries from the incident. The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and Police immediately secured the crime scene and launched a homicide investigation.

Police reported today that  seven male suspects aged 17-19 years of Ha’ateiho and Fo’ui had been arrested after multiple witnesses had come forward with reports and videos from the incident. All suspects remain in police custody while the investigation continues to determine the full circumstances of the teen’s death.

A post-mortem of the deceased is expected to be carried out later this week.

Victim identified

Meanwhile, social media reports identified the victim as Toni Jr. Langilangi and showed video of the alleged perpetrators at the incident.

A family member, Victoria Langilangi posted that a group of boys had taken the life of her little brother and said: “While he was dead in the hospital these boys celebrated on the road.”