The man arrested by armed police officers in a highly visible operation last Friday afternoon is being held without bail.
Solomon Siaumau Samatua II is charged with first degree assault, second degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
It’s alleged that the defendant fired a 12-gauge firearm which injured the right forearm of his uncle, Larry Samatua.
According to court filings the victim observed a blue van parked on his property and approached the vehicle to find out who was in the van.
He saw the defendant seated in the front passenger seat with a 12 gauge firearm on his lap.
According to the victim, he asked the defendant if he could see the firearm and at the same time he took hold of the muzzle of the weapon. At that very moment, the defendant pulled the trigger discharging the firearm and causing injury to his uncle’s forearm. It’s alleged that the defendant got out of the vehicle and called out to his uncle that if he calls the cops, he would return and shoot him.
The van then left the property.
The uncle told police that the defendant has a history of coming to his residence at odd hours, accompanied by other individuals that he doesn’t know, and he often appears to be intoxicated.
A doctor who attended to the victims injury at the LBJ Emergency Room told police that x-ray results showed the presence of about 18 pellets embedded within the victim’s forearm.
It was discovered that the defendant does not have a license to possess a 12-gauge short barrel shotgun.
