Police have arrested and charged a 32-year-old man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Kuava Village, Vella La Vella, Western Province, an incident that occurred on January 3, 2026 and has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) Provincial Mr. Tex Tafoa confirmed that the teenager who was killed was a key police witness in an ongoing murder case dating back to December 2024, raising serious concerns about witness safety and retaliation.
According to police, the victim and two other boys from the same village had gone to the suspect’s residence prior to the incident. While the group was standing together, the suspect allegedly asked the deceased to hand over his kitchen knife. Police say the boy complied, unaware of the suspect’s intentions.
“It is alleged that the suspect took the knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest,” Mr. Tafoa said.
After being stabbed, the victim reportedly attempted to flee the scene but collapsed shortly afterward and lost consciousness. He was rushed to Gizo Hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival, police confirmed.
The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has since been formally charged with murder under Section 200 of the Penal Code (Cap 26). He is currently being remanded at the Gizo Correctional Facility as he awaits court proceedings.
Police have confirmed that the slain teenager was a crucial witness in a separate murder case currently before the courts. That case involves the death of a man in his 70s, whose body was discovered near the Sagorana coconut plantation on December 28, 2024.
In connection with that earlier case, nine suspects have already been arrested. Investigators allege that the attack stemmed from a long-running sorcery-related dispute that began in 2023, suggesting the violence may have been premeditated and rooted in ongoing community tensions.
Authorities say investigations into both cases are continuing, and police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice while urging members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement. Community leaders are also being encouraged to assist in promoting peace and preventing further violence in the area.
Further updates are expected as the matter proceeds through the courts.
