Fatal feud in 2005 escalating?

Last year’s fight at a residence in Gualo Rai that ended in the fatal shooting of one man appears to be escalating.

Police arrested on Thursday Alex Igisomar Laniyo, a 27-year-old ex-convict, who allegedly beat up a man and hit him with a metal pipe.

The victim, Richard Robert, suffered lacerations on the right eyebrow and contusions on the back. He was treated at the Commonwealth Health Center.

Laniyo was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

During a bail hearing yesterday, Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja imposed a $10,000 cash bail for Laniyo’s temporary release. Naraja appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Laniyo and set the preliminary hearing for Nov. 15.

Detective Juan M. Santos stated in court papers that on Oct. 29, 2006, Robert was at the house of John Pua in Gualo Rai and was having a drink with a certain Isaac.

Laniyo later arrived and said he was looking for someone to beat up. He then allegedly jumped on Robert and punched him repeatedly. The victim fell to the ground and when he got up, Laniyo allegedly hit him with a metal pipe on his back and face.

Isaac pushed the defendant and John Pua grabbed the metal pipe and threw it away.

Before he left, Laniyo allegedly threatened to kill the victim and his mother.

Robert said the defendant attacked him because of his relationship with Ernest Rangamar and due to the shooting incident last December.

Court records show that Donald Sewel had beaten up Ernest Rangamar and his father, Rafael Rangamar, with a piece of lumber after a drinking session in Gualo Rai on Dec. 11, 2005. Ernest Rangamar was unconscious on the ground when police officers arrived, a detective said.

Police Officer Andrew Santos shot Sewel when the latter reportedly tried to attack the officer with a 2×4 lumber during the commotion.

The Attorney General’s Office had concluded that the action taken by Santos in shooting Sewel was justified by the circumstances.

It was not clear how Laniyo is related to Sewel.

In February 2006, Laniyo was arrested after he beat up John Faisao Pua along a road in Gualo Rai. Pua was seriously injured as a result of the beating.

The AGO said that on Aug. 4, 2006 Laniyo was convicted in that incident and is now on probation.