Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 6, 2024, a concerned neighbor contacted the Central Police Station to report an alleged assault of a 60-year-old man by his nephew.

The defendant was later apprehended and charged with the following:

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

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one-year, a fine of $1000, or both;

Count 3: Trespass (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 4: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one-year, a fine of $1000, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on Sept. 5, 2024, at about 11:35 p.m., a male individual (witness) contacted the FPS in need of assistance regarding his nephew (defendant) Afega Uaita, who assaulted his uncle, the (victim) in the uncle’s home.

Two police officers proceeded to scene and upon arrival, they observed the suspect in front of his house. The officers called out to him, but he took off running. The officers pursued the suspect on foot and apprehended him. It was reported that the suspect resisted arrest.

At about 11:52 p.m, the officers were approached by the victim, while covered in blood from his head. The police officers immediately contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to request EMS for medical assistance for the victim. EMS arrived at about 12:05 a.m. at the TPS, awaiting the arrival of the police unit from the scene of the crime to render aid to the victim.

At about 12:16 a.m., the suspect was transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

On the same date, at about 12:25 a.m., police officers interviewed the victim at the TPS.

The victim verbally stated that on Thursday (Sept. 5th), the defendant was yelling profanities for no reason. The victim continued telling his nephew (defendant) to stop because their neighbors were listening. He then left the house to attend a church meeting at about 5:30 p.m.

The victim said that when he returned, he went straight to bed and he was woken up when he heard the defendant screaming. As he got up, he thought of talking some sense into the defendant, however, he was shocked when his bedroom door was kicked, and he saw the defendant standing at the door throwing an object at him.

The victim claimed he was hit on his right arm, and he tried to get up from his bed but at this time, the defendant grabbed his walking stick and assaulted him on his head and all over his body numerous times while he was still sitting on his bed. He said he tried to fight back, but the defendant was too strong.

Moreover, the victim claimed he struggled with his nephew, from his bedroom to the living room, where he slipped on the ground, and the defendant continued hitting him with the walking stick.

The victim also stated that he heard Afega threatening his brother (Afega’s father), saying that he was going to kill him.

The victim sustained an open wound on the right side of his head and minor scratches on his arms and stomach.

He claimed this is not the first incident where his nephew assaulted someone and he was taken to the police station numerous times, but was released. The victim further stated that Afega threatened their family, and they didn’t want him back in their home.

At about 12:36 a.m., the officers proceeded back to the scene to follow up on the case and to obtain the walking stick that was used to assault the victim. Upon arrival at the scene, the victim directed the officers to where the walking stick was thrown, and the officers also photographed the scene of the crime.

At around 12:39 a.m., one of the officers interviewed one of the witnesses near the victim’s residence.

According to the witness’s verbal statement, he was inside his home when Afega came and called him out to fight. The witness also claimed that the defendant called him “a piece of shit,” but he ignored the defendant and stayed in his house.

The witness said he then heard the victim crying for help, and when he came outside his house, he witnessed Afega hitting the victim with the walking stick inside the victim’s home. He then contacted the police for assistance.

The police could not interview Afega’s father because he was not home.

Afega is identified as a 26-year-old U.S. National, and the victim (uncle) is identified as a 60-year-old.