(UTULEI: Friday, July 23, 2010) -Governor Togiola Tulafono issued this statement today following the fatal shooting of American Samoa Police Detective – Lieutenant Liusila Brown:

STATEMENT 

On Thursday afternoon, Lieutenant Liusila Brown was tragically shot and killed while at the High Court after the conclusion of a court trial that required his testimony. 

Words cannot express the shock, sorrow and outrage we feel at the loss of an American Samoa police officer from such horrendous violence in our island community. And I condemn this horrific and senseless act of violence. 

Lieutenant Brown and the men and women of our Department of Public Safety uphold their duty to serve and protect the people of American Samoa on a daily basis. This is a tremendous loss for us all. 

The American Samoa Police Department has begun its investigation of this incident and will do everything in its power to ensure that the person responsible for this cowardly act will be swiftly brought to justice. 

Mary, Lieutenant Governor Faoa and Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia join me in extending our most sincere condolences to Mrs. Tumua Brown and the entire family of Lieutenant Brown who have lost a loved one, and to the Department of Public Safety who have lost a colleague and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. 

---americansamoa.gov---