Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 9, 2026, a domestic disturbance near the Ili‘ili Golf Course resulted in the arrest of a woman following an alleged assault involving a flashlight and rocks.

The suspect was charged with the following:

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 $5000 but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance (DV) - a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500 but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the affidavit, filed in the District Court on Jan. 12th, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call at about 11:32 a.m. reporting two women fighting and shouting profanities along the roadside in the Ili‘ili Golf Course area.

Officers responded to the scene and found a woman sitting on a rock wall beside the road crying. The woman was identified as Brenelriane Sulusulu (victim).

She told officers she had been involved in a physical altercation with her partner, Faye Vaili (defendant), following an argument at Vaili’s residence. Sulusulu stated that after leaving the residence, she walked towards a nearby store to use a phone to call her grandmother for a ride home.

Sululusu alleged that while she was walking, Vaili approached her in an angry manner and struck her twice on the head with a flashlight. She said she fought back in self-defense. Two women who were shopping at a nearby store intervened and chased Vaili away.

Sululusu told officers that she believed the incident had ended when Vaili walked away.

However, she said Vaili returned moments later and began throwing rocks at her from an estimated distance of 15 to 20 feet. The victim reported that she was standing when the rocks were thrown and that the rocks were about the size of golf balls. She stated that she was struck in the stomach and left leg, causing visible bruising.

Officers observed multiple injuries on Sulusulu, including bite marks on her inner left thigh, left arm, and right cheek near the jawline; scratch marks below her right eye; a bump on her head; and bruises on both arms. The injuries were photographed for evidence.

Sulusulu reported that the bite marks were from a prior incident that occurred at Vaili’s residence.

A flashlight believed to have been used during the assault was recovered and described as a black metal flashlight approximately 12 inches in length.

The victim was transported to the TPS, where emergency medical personnel later examined her. After receiving treatment, she declined further medical care.

Authorities later went to Vaili’s residence, which was approximately 40 meters from the retail store, close to where the incident occurred.

Vaili was advised of her constitutional rights and declined to provide a statement.

She was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) to await the next sitting of District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 26-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. ra]