A 67-year-old Ili’ili woman was rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning after she sustained three stab wounds on her shoulders and upper back. The Department of Public Safety is currently investigating the matter. The injured woman lives with another elderly woman, and was taken to the hospital around 3a.m. by Emergency Medical Services, where she was held in the Emergency Room until she was taken to surgery to close three separate wounds.

According to a family member of the Ili’ili woman, her aunt has developed mental issues and she stabbed herself on her back and shoulders. She said that the woman who lives with her aunt found the aunt with a kitchen knife in her hand while she was covered in blood.

The police however told Samoa News they’re looking into it, as this same residence had been broken into, and their TV set stolen.

The niece of the injured woman told Samoa News at the hospital that her aunt is somewhat mentally unstable and that she had stabbed herself. Samoa News asked if anyone saw her aunt stabbing herself, the niece said “No.”

Efforts to reach the Commissioner of Public Safety Save Liuato Tuitele for an official comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

Currently there are three separate alleged stabbing cases pending in the High Court.

Simone Pulou was arrested and charged last month with first degree assault and first degree burglary. He’s accused of allegedly stabbing his girlfriend in the chest. “On the night of the stabbing, he had purchased three big beer bottles and consumed them at his house. While drinking at his house he developed a plan to stab his girlfriend to death,” according to the government’s case. It’s alleged the defendant went to the victim’s house, broke in, stabbed her in the chest with his pocket knife and then fled. The victim was treated and then released from the Emergency Room.

Another stabbing incident has led to murder charges being filed against Michael Schuster, 21, in connection with the brutal murder of a 23-year-old man Savaii man, whose body was found later in Vailoa with five stab wounds to his chest.

The third stabbing case led to the arrest of Nicholas Luamanu, who is facing charges of first degree assault, second degree assault and misdemeanor stealing, for allegedly stabbing a taxi driver on the neck and face.  

All the three cases are pending in the High Court