Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 8, 2024, a woman contacted Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) reporting that her ex-boyfriend assaulted her inside a store while shopping.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with the following charges:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C Misd.), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on April 8, at about 9:05 a.m, a woman contacted the TPS to report her ex-boyfriend Han Ding had assaulted her in the TMO store located in Tafuna. Police officers responded to the said call and upon arrival met up with the victim who reported the incident.

According to the victim, she was placing an order at TMO, when the suspect walked in and started yelling at her saying they had unfinished business to settle.

The victim explained that when she told him that she doesn’t want to talk, Ding slapped her on the head and was stopped from further harming her due to a bystander that held the suspect back.

The bystander told police that the suspect threatened to punch him if he didn’t let go but because he was worried about the safety of the victim he continued to hold the suspect back.

The victim added that this isn’t the first incident between her and her ex boyfriend. She explained that their relationship ended two years ago but Ding still tries to make contact with her in any way.

She described another incident that happened a few months ago where the suspect and his mother came over to her store looking for her. Frightened for her life, the victim said she requested police assistance before harm happened.

Police officers recovered footage from the TMO store confirming the assault on the victim. The footage did not have audio but it was clear that the suspect slapped the victim on the head then was held back by a bystander.

Police officers then proceeded to locate the suspect.

The only known location provided by the victim was at his store Fonuea, located in Nu’uuli. Police officers arrived at the store and observed the suspect inside the store.

Ding was apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Ding was Mirandized upon arrival at the police station with the help of a translator.

The suspect understood and waived his rights. The suspect gave a statement and admitted to slapping the victim on the head because she refused to talk to him. He stated he got angry and slapped the victim.

The suspect was then booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 35-year-old citizen of China.