Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 8, 2026, an individual contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and reported that Ofele Punefu allegedly threatened his brother with a crowbar and a hammer during a late-night disturbance at their family home.

Mr. Punefu was later arrested and charged with:

 Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

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

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the affidavit, filed in the District Court on Feb. 9th, police received a call at approximately 11:40 p.m. from a woman reporting that her brother-in-law was causing a disturbance inside their residence in Fagatogo.

Police officers responded to the call and met with the reporter and her husband, who is the defendant’s brother. Authorities later confirmed that both the victim and the defendant reside in the same home along with other family members.

The victim told officers that he and his wife were preparing to go to bed when the defendant began yelling loudly inside the house. According to the victim, the defendant shouted, “Don’t do anything stupid when I’m home,” which prompted the couple to get up and attempt to calm him down.

However, the situation quickly escalated when the victim and his wife observed the defendant holding a crowbar, which he allegedly waved in a threatening manner while confronting his brother.

Court documents state that the defendant warned the victim, “Don’t make me come over there and hit you with a crowbar.”

The victim told police that he was standing only a few feet away from his brother while the threats were being made.

During the heated argument, the defendant allegedly returned to his room and came back moments later holding a hammer, which he also waved at the victim in a threatening manner.

According to the report, the victim and the defendant’s mother attempted to intervene by standing between the two men in an effort to calm the situation and prevent it from escalating further.

But, despite their attempts to defuse the argument, the defendant allegedly continued yelling profanities and threatening his brother.

Court documents further state that the incident occurred in the presence of the victim’s four-year-old son, who was inside the home at the time.

Police later located the defendant at the residence and took him into custody without further incident.

After being transported to the FPS, the defendant was advised of his constitutional rights. Authorities say he agreed to provide a verbal statement regarding the incident.

The defendant reportedly told officers that he heard movements near him and ]believed someone was making noise next to him. He stated that when he informed his brother about what he heard, he was told that he was hallucinating and imagining things.

The defendant reportedly told officers that his brother told him to “give it a rest” and that he was hearing things. The defendant admitted that he became angry following the exchange and retrieved the crowbar.

Police also noted in the report that while interacting with the defendant, he appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The victim also informed officers that the defendant has a history of drug abuse.

Following the investigation, the defendant was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) where he was held pending his initial appearance at District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 48-year-old citizen of Samoa.

[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.]