Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 14, 2024, a concerned mother called Tafuna Police Substation to report that her son allegedly assaulted another male individual.

The suspect fled the scene but was eventually captured and later charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

According to the affidavit, on October 14th, at about 2:30 p.m., a mother (reporter) called the TPS regarding her son Tuifao Tuifelasa’i who assaulted another male individual (victim). Police officers proceeded to the reporters residence, and met up with the victim, who briefed the officers regarding the reported matter.

The victim verbally stated that they had a job in the morning around 7:00 a.m. The man who owns the job gave them $20.00 to buy lunch. After they completed their job at around 12:00 p.m., the owner dropped them off at a gas station where he and the suspect walked to the store to buy food. However, when they got to the store, the suspect was mad because he didn’t want them to split the $20.00. The victim stated that the suspect wanted to save the money to buy meth but he told him to give him $10.00 so he could buy lunch because he was hungry. The suspect then angrily gave him $10.00.

Furthermore, when they got home, the suspect went straight to their room and locked it. When he (victim) approached the room, the door was locked and when he knocked on the door and told the suspect to open it, he refused.

The suspect then allegedly yelled out profanities in Samoan at him and surprisingly opened the door and struck him with a closed fist in his eye.

After interviewing the victim, the officers informed him that he will be taken into the TPS to await the EMS for medical treatment. The officers also informed the witness to come into the TPS for further interview regarding the matter.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the victim was placed inside the TPS conference room to await EMS for medical treatment.

When the witness/ reporter arrived at the station, she was placed inside the interrogation room for further interview.

The witness verbally stated that she was at their house when the incident happened. She explained that the victim was knocking on the door of the room whereas the suspect yelled out profanities at the victim. The victim then told the suspect to stop being disrespectful and the suspect then opened the door and assaulted the victim by punching him in the eye. By the time she was able to intervene and tried to stop the fight, the suspect was so angry to the point where she wasn’t able to stop him. She then grabbed the broom and smacked the suspect but he became more violent. At that time, she immediately contacted the TPS for assistance.

The victim was treated by EMS and was later informed by the EMS paramedics that his vitals were stable. Paramedics then advised him to put ice on his eye to help reduce the swollen eye. The victim also refused to be taken to the hospital for further treatment.

The officers informed the victim and witness to contact the TPS immediately if they see the suspect again.

At about 3:30 p.m., the witness contacted the TPS again stating that her son was seen at the Laufou Shopping Center. Officers proceeded to the mentioned location but were not able to locate the suspect and proceeded back to the witness's house.

Upon arrival at the witness’s residence, the witness yelled out to the police that the suspect was running to the back, to the bushes. Officers then engaged in a foot pursuit with the suspect and caught him hiding below a river stream.

The suspect was apprehended and placed inside the police unit to be transported to the TPS.

Upon arrival at the station, the officers placed the suspect inside the TPS interrogation room where he was Mirandized. The suspect understood his rights and agreed to provide a statement regarding his involvement in the matter.

The suspect verbally stated that he got angry at the victim because he was banging nonstop on their door. He then yelled out profanities at the victim because he was annoyed. And, out of anger, he opened the door and punched the victim with his fist.

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

The defendant is identified as a 20-year-old U.S National.