A security guard was shot in the chest after a person in a passing vehicle in central Nuku'alofa fired at him outside a Nuku'alofa nightclub early on Saturday morning, May 29.

The victim was a 26-year-old male security guard at the Steak and Rock Nightclub on Taufa'ahau Road in the central business district.

The Tonga Police in a statement yesterday, May 31, said the shooting took place between 4-5 am. The security guard was standing outside the nightclub when a vehicle drove past on Taufa'ahau Road and a shot was fired and struck the victim on his chest area. He received a superficial injury and was rushed to the hospital and was released later on the same day and was expected to make a full recovery.

Police interviewed a large number of people over the weekend to identify the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of two male persons who were charged with attempted murder.

The two accused appeared at the Magistrate Court on May 31 and was further ordered to be kept in custody until Thursday, June 3.

Further charges are expected to be made when the police review all evidence regarding the shooting.