Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 1, 2026, the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) received a call from a man who alleged that Saumani Semi threatened a couple of people with a knife.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

Court documents state that at approximately 1:00 a.m, a call was made to the FPS reporting that the defendant had approached a group of men who were gathered outside a residence and began threatening them with a knife. Officers responded to the call and arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report.

Upon arrival, police were waved down by the reporter, who directed officers to where the incident had taken place. The reporter then introduced another man, identified as the victim, and both men were interviewed by officers at the scene.

The reporter told police that he and several others were sitting outside a home, talking and joking, when the defendant suddenly approached them holding a knife. He stated that the defendant began making aggressive poking or stabbing motions toward the group while verbally threatening to stab them. The reporter said he became fearful that the situation could escalate further and immediately contacted police for assistance.

The victim also provided a statement, explaining that the defendant approached him directly and began making repeated poking motions with the knife toward his head. He stated that the defendant continued to threaten him while making these motions and that the knife made contact with his forehead during the encounter. The victim indicated that the defendant repeated the action multiple times, creating a dangerous and frightening situation.

Further information gathered during the investigation revealed that the incident may have been connected to an earlier disturbance in the area. However, both the reporter and the victim were identified as bystanders and had not been involved in the earlier altercation. Despite this, the defendant allegedly directed his actions toward them.

After interviewing the individuals at the scene, officers were guided by the reporter and the victim to the location where the defendant was believed to be staying.

Police proceeded to a residence at the end of the Vaisigago road and made contact with a female occupant. When officers asked about the defendant, she confirmed that he was inside the residence and went to get him.

When the defendant came outside to speak with officers, they immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from him, indicating that he had been drinking prior to the incident.

Both the reporter and the victim positively identified the defendant as the individual who had threatened them earlier with the knife.

Officers then moved in and took the defendant into custody without incident. During the course of the arrest, officers were also able to locate and recover the knife that was allegedly used in the confrontation.

The defendant was transported to FPS for further investigation. However, due to his intoxicated condition at the time, officers were unable to conduct a full interview. He was subsequently booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained in custody awaiting his initial appearance before the District Court.

The case has been forwarded to the court, where the defendant is expected to face charges related to the alleged threats and use of a weapon. The matter remains pending before the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 46-year-old citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 2, 2026.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court.]