
Investigations are continuing into the death of an US Army paratrooper from American Samoa, Specialist Faamavega Tanielu, who died in an incident on base at Fort Liberty last Thursday.
In an interview with his mother, Mrs Aiesi Tanielu of Mesepa, she said from what she learned from Faamavaega’s wife, an intruder had entered their home and shot him. “He was helping his children with their homework when a person entered their home and shot him,” the distraught mother told KHJ News.
Reports say that Spec Tanielu was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
Mrs Tanielu said she had spoken to her son by phone on Wednesday evening and as usual he was jovial and making her laugh. She said during the conversation Faamavaega said at least there times, “I love you mom.”
After the phone conversation, Mrs Tanielu said she had to charge her phone because the battery died. Meantime Faamavaega’s wife had made several attempts to reach the soldier’s parents to tell them what had happened but couldn’t get through.
Mrs Aiese Tanielu said her daughter in law’s family in Samoa eventually made contact with one of their family members here and informed she and her husband about Faamavaega’s demise.
Faamavaega, 24, was the eldest of three children. He graduated from Tafuna High School and entered the Army in October of 2022. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery Brigade. He leaves behind his wife and three young children.