7 Sep 2022

Seven-year-old boy shot dead by brother

3:06 pm on 7 September 2022
The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa.

The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa. Photo: RNZI/Gareth Thomas

Tongan Police have confirmed the death of a seven-year-old boy after he was shot.

Police report the shooting occured at the boy's residence at the village of Ha'ateiho, on the main island of Tongatapu, last Friday evening local time.

The boy's father has been arrested, but police say the victim died after his four-year-old brother fired four shots while playing with the firearm.

Police say the firearm was a .22 rifle with unlicensed ammunition.