Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 9, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a man who reported an alleged assault by the brother-in-law of his brother.

The suspect was arrested and later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Second Degree (DV), a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of up to $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $20,000.

According to the court affidavit, on July 9th, at approximately 9:47 a.m., a man (the reporter) called the TPS to report that his brother was allegedly assaulted with a baseball bat.

Police officers responded to the call and, upon arrival on the scene, they made initial contact with the reporter. The officers also observed a man (the victim) lying on the concrete in front of the reporter’s house. The victim was seen covered with blood on his face.

According to the reporter’s verbal statement, he came home to gather belongings for his wife, who is currently admitted to the hospital. After collecting his wife’s belongings and preparing to leave the house, he noticed the victim approaching, asking for help.

The reporter stated that he asked the victim what happened, and the victim allegedly replied that he had been beaten with a baseball bat by Fa’asega Aumua (suspect). The reporter contacted the police station for assistance.

The officers called the EMS for medical assistance; and, while awaiting the arrival of the EMS, the officers observed the suspect in front of his home. Mr. Aumua was apprehended, placed inside the police unit and was later transported to the police station.

Upon arrival of the EMS unit, the victim was transported to the LBJ Hospital for medical evaluation due to injuries sustained in his facial area.

Authorities were unable to interview the victim due to his injuries.

At the TPS, Aumua was Mirandized, to which he acknowledged and agreed to provide a statement.

According to the suspect’s verbal statement, he and the victim have resided together in a shack since his sister is married to the victim’s brother. He said that around 9:21 p.m., he was trying to rest before going to work, as he is employed at StarKist, but he had to exit his room to tell the victim to lower the volume of his speaker as he was trying to sleep. However, when he returned to his room, the victim turned the speaker volume louder.

At this point, he walked back out and again requested the victim to lower the volume so he could get some rest. However, the victim started yelling profanities in Samoan and told him that it was none of his business. Aumua admitted that he got angry and grabbed a baseball bat in the living room and swung it at the victim’s face, but missed.

The suspect continued that the victim then grabbed a cutting knife from under his bed and aimed it at his chest, attempting to stab him. He grabbed the knife with both hands and twisted it downward, dislodging the knife — it fell to the ground.

Aumua admitted that he picked up the baseball bat again and struck the victim in the face twice, causing the victim to lose consciousness.

The affidavit also stated that the suspect revealed to the officers that he had a scratch on his chest and a small cut on his finger, which they saw.

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

Authorities conducted a follow-up at the LBJ Hospital, where the victim had been admitted for further medical evaluation, but were unable to get a statement.

Information was relayed from the attending physician that the victim sustained a blowout fracture to the right medial orbital wall.

[AI says, The right medial orbital wall is located on the right side of the head, separating the right eye socket (orbit) from the nasal cavity and ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuse.]

The defendant is identified as a 56-year-old citizen of Samoa.