Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 18, 2026, a violent altercation at a bus stop in the village of Utulei resulted in multiple individuals being identified and questioned by police following an assault that left a woman with visible injuries.

One of the defendants was charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

The defendant, Silia Pule, was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, at approximately 4:37 p.m., the victim reported that she had been attacked by three individuals while waiting at a bus stop across from the Nu’uuli boathouse. The incident, which occurred in a public setting, drew immediate attention.

Officers responded to the scene shortly after receiving the report. Upon arrival, they observed two females and one male near the bus stop who confirmed they were involved in the incident. All parties were then transported to the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) for further investigation and interviews.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assistance was also requested to assess injuries sustained during the altercation, however, no units were available. The victim ultimately declined medical treatment and refused transportation to the hospital.

At the station, officers separated the individuals and conducted individual interviews to piece together the sequence of events.

The victim stated that she had been waiting at the bus stop with her boyfriend and his sister when the attack occurred without warning. While facing the road, she said an individual approached her from behind, grabbed her by the hair, and struck her in the face.

The victim identified the main aggressor as Silia Pule, who was accompanied by two others, later identified as Talitiga Crawley and a male known only as “Jay”.

According to the victim, all three individuals participated in the assault. She reported being punched, scratched, and having her hair forcefully pulled during the incident.

The situation appeared to stem from a personal dispute. The victim stated that after the assault, Pule shouted accusations questioning her involvement with a family member’s partner, suggesting that the attack may have been motivated by relationship tensions.

A witness who was present at the scene corroborated parts of the victim’s account. He stated that the confrontation escalated quickly after the initial physical contact; and, when he attempted to intervene and break up the fight, he was struck in the face by the unidentified male suspect known as “Jay”.

According to his statement, the group fled the scene shortly after the altercation in a black four-door rental vehicle.

Another witness confirmed that the group arrived together in the vehicle and initiated the confrontation immediately upon exiting, further supporting claims that the attack may have been deliberate.

Police made efforts to locate the suspects in the days following the incident but were initially unsuccessful.

However, on March 22, 2026, two of the individuals involved, Pule and Crawley, voluntarily appeared at the FPS, accompanied by a family member.

Both individuals were advised of their constitutional rights prior to questioning.

According to authorities, they cooperated with investigators and provided written statements. In those statements, both acknowledged their involvement in the incident and admitted that their actions were wrong.

Investigators determined that Pule initiated the physical altercation by grabbing the victim’s hair, scratching her face, and striking her. Crawley, however, claimed that she did not actively participate in the assault and instead attempted to separate those involved and de-escalate the situation.

Authorities also gathered information regarding the third suspect, identified only as “Jay”. Both individuals confirmed that he is a friend but were unable to provide further identifying details or contact information. They stated that he became involved only after the victim’s boyfriend attempted to intervene.

Despite the violent nature of the altercation, the victim sustained what were described as minor injuries, including the scratches to her face and left ear.

The case remains under active investigation as authorities continue efforts to identify and locate the third individual involved.

Pule is identified as a 33-year-old citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 30, 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.]