The family of 20-year-old Tito Malo, also known by many as Nila, is struggling to come to terms with his sudden death following a shoot-out at Vaitele Fou last weekend.

The Ministry of Police reported that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday and resulted in the tragic death of the 20-year-old. A second victim, a 21-year-old, sustained firearm injuries.

Nila’s family says they are finding it difficult to accept that he is gone.

His aunt, Leinati Laulu, broke down in tears as she described her nephew as a kind and loving young man who always put others before himself, especially his younger siblings.

“O le olaga atoa o Nila o se tagata e finau, e galue malosi ma e tele foi na fesoasoani I le aiga,” she said.

“E iai foi ona uiga e faalogogata i isi taimi, e pei a ona tatou iloa uma lava tupulaga talavou i lenei vaitau e le faigofie. Ae e loto fesoasoani i soo se tagata.

“A iloa e Nila o lae ok ia ma lesi tagata ia e fiafia foi, o le a le feau e valaau atu ai e sau fiaifia e fai.”

Nila was the eldest of his parents’ five children. Following his parents’ divorce, he was raised by his mother’s family.

Ms. Laulu said the family is still trying to process the loss and cannot believe her nephew is gone.

“Sa lilo lava I manatu o le a oo se mea faapea isi o’u tei,” she said.

“O se tagata filemu, e alofa I soo se tagata, ma e tele lava vaega e faagalo gata ai Nila I le matou lava ia aiga, ma o se vaega pitosili lea ona faigata ona o le tulaga ua iai, ae e le talanoa foi nisi ma ni faalavelave e tutupu.

“E fai uso toe fai tuafafine toe fai uo foi, e tele ia o uo a Nila ma e alofagia e le toatele.”

Despite their grief, Ms. Laulu said she and her family have already forgiven the person responsible for her nephew’s death.

“Mo oe lea na faia lenei mea, matou te faamagalo ia te oe,” she said.

“Ae e pei o le upu foi lea, e faamagalo ae le mafai ona galo, e pei o se ata faasolo I le mafaufau I lenei taimi.”

Nila’s partner, Amy Vavatau, said the last time she spoke to him was on Friday. He had planned to join her and her family in Siumu but was unable to because he had to work overtime.

Ms. Vavatau said she only learned of his death on Sunday morning through social media while she was in Siumu.

“Faatoa ou iloaina lava I le taeao o le Aso Sa ona sa ou I Siumu I lo’u aiga, na ou vili mai iinei I lona aiga ae ta’u atu ua maliu Nila, na ou sau ai lava I le Aso Sa lea.”

Fighting back tears, Ms. Vavatau said the memories they shared during their brief relationship will remain with her forever.

“E faigata tele ona faagalo Nila, e moi lava I le mafutaga faaleaiga ae o le ma ua mafutaga o se tagata e alofa ia te a’u, e faigaluega malosi,” said the grieving partner.

A 66-year-old man, also from Vaitele Fou, has been charged with murder, causing injury, and being armed with a firearm.

The Ministry of Police has reminded the public to report any potentially violent incidents, disputes, and grievances to police. The ministry also urged members of the public to refrain from retaliation and from taking matters into their own hands.

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