Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 1, 2024, a female coach contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an alleged assault on one of her players, a 16-year-old male, by an adult female.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C. Misd.), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, on October 1st, at about 5:39 p.m., a female coach (reporter) called the TPS to report that one of her soccer team players, a 16-year-old minor, was assaulted by an adult female at their games at the St. Teresa playing field.

Police Officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they met up with the reporter who pointed towards a female standing next to her saying that it was her who slapped one of her soccer players. The female was later identified as Hezed Leifi (suspect). Leifi was quickly apprehended at the scene and placed inside the police unit.

One of the responding officers was able to interview the reporter/ coach at the scene. According to the coach, she was not aware that the minor was assaulted by the suspect, finding out only after her players told her.

She then contacted the TPS for assistance as she did not want to confront the suspect.

Officers also interviewed the 16-year-old victim at the scene.

According to the victim, he stated that the suspect was mad at him for making jokes at the Tongan Soccer team. The victim alleged that the suspect didn’t like it and told him to shut up or else she’ll come slap him. The victim explained that he just laughed and continued watching the game, until he was shocked when the suspect stood up, slapped him once on his right cheek and punching him on his left lower rib cage. The victim stated that a lot of his teammates were around when he was assaulted by the suspect.

The victim sustained minor scratches on his right cheek.

Police officers informed the coach to bring in her players including the victim so they could interview them separately at the TPS. The coach was also asked to inform the victim’s mother and she agreed to contact her.

A 17-year-old eyewitness at the scene, interviewed by an officer, stated that she was watching the game when she heard a woman tell one of the spectators to be mindful that adults are in the crowd watching the game. She explained that a woman then stood up and started punching one of the kids who was watching the game.

As the interview continued, the officer was informed that another spectator, a 15-year-old, had recorded the whole incident on her phone. The witness provided the officers with the video footage by uploading it from her personal phone.

After conducting the field interviews at the scene, the coach was advised to bring the victim and witnesses to the TPS.

The suspect was transported to the TPS to be processed.

Upon arrival at the TPS, police officers contacted the EMS to treat the victim. At about 6:29 p.m., officers re-interviewed the victim in the presence of his mother.

According to the victim, he stated that he was watching the game and made funny comments about the other team’s goalkeeper. He was then told by a woman to shut up and watch the game. He stated he just laughed and thought it was not a big deal. The victim said that he was shocked when the woman stood up and asked him, “What did I tell you?” And then she slapped him in the face and punched him three times in his left rib cage. Fortunately, one of his friends got between them and told the woman to stop.

The video footage that was recovered was shown to the victim and he was asked if that was him and the suspect who assaulted him, and he replied, “Yes, that’s her”.

The victim was treated at the TPS for minor scratches by EMS.

The 15-year-old, who stopped the assault was interviewed as a witness.  He said he was watching the game with the victim and another friend when a woman stood up and asked, “What did I tell you?”. She then slapped and punched the victim in the crowd. He stated that’s when he jumped in and told the woman to stand back, and she threatened him by saying she was going to tell her son to come and beat him and the victim up.

At about 7:17 p.m., the suspect was Mirandized and she agreed to make a statement and answer questions.

The suspect admitted to slapping the victim because she was angry at him for being immature and disrespectful at the games. She stated that she only slapped the victim but did not punch him.

When shown the video footage, the suspect was asked if that was her who assaulted a minor and made threatening remarks to another minor. She stated, “Yes, that was her and the kid she assaulted in the video”.

The affidavit does not state if Leifi was confined or released pending charges.

The defendant is identified as a 31-year-old citizen of Samoa.