American Samoa

According to media reports, Lt. Liusila Brown was at the courthouse providing security.  He was leaving the courthouse and was approached by Siaumau Siaumau Jr. The suspect then produced a handgun and shot Lt. Brown. Lt. Brown fell to the ground, raised a hand and was again shot by the suspect, killing him. Other police officers raced to their colleague’s aid and wrestled the gun from the suspect, but not without another police officer having been shot. According to witnesses, the suspect continued to scream at Lt. Brown’s body after being restrained stating this is what you get for messing with the Siaumau family.

The first question many of us in law enforcement may have is why did the other police officers not return fire? In American Samoa, it is prohibited for police officers to be armed. Without a service weapon, the American Samoa police officers’ only option was to physically take the weapon away from the assailant.  As a direct result of this tragedy, the American Samoa government is re-examining its policy on not allowing police officers to be armed.

The next question is why did this suspect attack a police officer in the middle of the day, in front of police officers, numerous witnesses and the local media? The choice of time and location by the suspect indicated that he was not too concerned with being apprehended, in fact it demonstrates the singularly focus he had upon his victim – Lt. Brown. Media reports indicate that the suspect’s motive was the arrest of his mother by Lt. Brown on drug related matters. If this is true then it presents a worn out mantra of injured family pride– where a son avenges others for supposedly wronging his mother.

While I do not know first hand, nor do the media reports indicate, but I would not be surprised to discover that the courthouse in American Samoa does not have metal detectors or x-ray machines at its entrance. Since police officers are unarmed, I suspect that those that provide courthouse security are also not armed. This is quite troubling.  As this most recent event demonstrates, violence can occur in any place or culture.

What does this event have to do with court security other than occurring just outside a courthouse? I assert that it is important for a community to ensure that its courthouse and it immediate vicinity be free from fear, intimidation and violence. Further security protocols must be in place to ensure that all are safe from these types of senseless acts of violence. While we cannot prevent a committed individual from bringing a weapon to a courthouse for the purpose of violence, we can put in place security practices, protocols, and equipment that will lower the likelihood such an event. I purposefully state lower as we cannot eliminate such events from occurring, but we must ensure that those who are charged with creating a safe environment have the proper preparation, training and tools to address such incident for when they occur.

 “Siaumau Jr. was officially charged Monday, July 26 in District Court with several felony charges including first degree murder, a crime punishable by life in prison or a term of years not less than 10 and not to exceed 30 years.

Altogether, the defendant is facing 14 felony charges and a misdemeanor public peace disturbance charge. Among the charges are two counts of attempted murder and weapons and ammunitions charges... Among the charges for which the court found probable cause were: one count of first degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault in the first degree and several counts of unlawful possession of firearms.

Ward noted that the court did not find probable cause for the concealed weapons charges as they were not addressed by the government during the preliminary examination hearing. The concealed weapons charges have been dropped by the court, but Ward added that the government can re-file the counts against Siaumau.”

http://www.samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=17560

Court papers have been filed seeking the death penalty.

Rest in Peace Lt. Liusila Brown and thank you for your service.