Family mayhem: Man charged over trying to kill relative
A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to kill his relative in Sydney's west.
The man has been accused of deliberately running his car into Talla Faavala, 53, and then hitting him repeatedly with a brick.
Faavala, a Samoan chief and father, had been working on a wall at the front of his Shalvey home when he was run down.
His relative James Va'A Tui was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder.
It's understood there had been an altercation over money between Va'A Tui and Faavala, before the incident took place.
Paramedics worked frantically to save Faavala’s life until he was rushed to the Westmead Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Nearby witness Fangafua Fakahau recounted the attack, which happened in broad daylight.
"He just went 'wham', straight into the fence," she told 7 News.
"He was literally trying to hit this guy, to kill him."
"He got out of his car, went behind his car, grabbed a brick and started smacking his head repeatedly."
The incident has reportedly rocked the community, as Talla Faafala was an active member of the local church.
“I don't know why this person would do this to him and we get along with them all the time,” neighbour Lovey Mati said.
Fangafua Fakahau agreed. "I thought, this is not Shalvey," she said.
"Nothing like this happens on this street, you know, it's a very quiet street."
James Va'A Tui will face court again on Thursday. He faced court today and was refused bail.
Faavala is now in a critical condition, surrounded by family and friends as he fights for life.
