Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 21, 2026, a dispute during a village curfew in Vailoa allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation that left two members of the village aumaga with visible injuries.

The incident led to the arrest of two men later identified as Risati Mapu and William Manning who were both charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

Both defendants were held without bail.

According to court records, the incident was reported at approximately 6:11 p.m. after a woman contacted the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to report a fight in front of Samu Store in Vailoa. About one minute later, another caller contacted the station regarding the same incident and identified Risati Mapu and William Manning, also known as “B-boy,” as the individuals allegedly involved in the assault.

Police officers responded to the scene and upon arrival they spoke with bystanders who informed them that the individuals involved in the fight had already left the area.

The following day, April 22, two victims went to the LPS to formally report the incident and provide statements concerning what had occurred the previous evening.

According to the report, both men provided verbal and written statements. Officers also documented the visible injuries on the two brothers.

Victim #1 was observed with swelling and bruising around his left eye, along with scratches on both knees and his hands. Victim #2 reportedly had minor scratches to his facial area and right knee.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was requested to evaluate both men following their arrival at the police station.

According to one of the victim’s statements, he had just finished work and was following his normal routine of attending the village curfew. While walking along the road near Samu Store, across from Leone High School in Vailoa, he reportedly noticed a truck parked alongside the road.

He stated that he approached the vehicle and told Mapu to stop what he was doing because the village curfew was about to begin.

After the curfew began, he then observed Mapu and others walking along the road as though the curfew was not in effect. He then waited until the curfew had ended before approaching Mapu to speak with him about the earlier incident.

The victim continued that he approached Mapu calmly and reminded him that he had already advised him about the village curfew. Mapu allegedly responded by questioning him about what he wanted.

An argument reportedly followed between the two men.

Police reports stated that William Manning then allegedly intervened during the confrontation and attempted to separate the men. However, according to the victim’s statement, Mapu punched him, causing him to fall onto the roadway.

The victim, one of the brothers, further alleged that Mapu then struck him three times in the area of his left eye with a spanner wrench.

The victim stated that he managed to get back up and walked to Samu Store, where his brother (victim #2) was located.

Furthermore, the suspect followed him to the store and allegedly punched him several more times in front of the business, causing him to fall again. Mapu allegedly yelled profanities at him during the confrontation.

Victim #2 also provided police with an account of the incident. According to his statement, after the village curfew began, he approached Mapu and attempted to advise him to stop what he was doing.

However, Manning then intervened and pushed him away, causing him to sustain bruising to his knees.

Victim #2 also informed the police that Mapu appeared to be intoxicated while walking along the roadway during the curfew and was carrying a can of an alcoholic beverage.

On April 23, investigators continued the investigation by attempting to locate witnesses who may have observed the confrontation.

Police later contacted reporter #2 at his residence in Vailoa where he provided investigators with a verbal and written statement regarding what he had allegedly witnessed on April 21.

According to reporter #2, he had gone to pick up church members for practice but became delayed near LHS because the village curfew was in effect.

While waiting in the area, he saw two men standing near a vehicle. He said one of the men was holding a can of an alcoholic beverage and that the men appeared to be conversing as though the village curfew was not in effect.

He also stated that one of the village aumaga members subsequently approached the men and advised them that the curfew was in effect.

According to the witness, Mapu became angry during the interaction and removed his shirt before becoming physically aggressive toward the aumaga members.

The witness further stated that Mapu directed profanities toward the aumaga and allegedly grabbed one of the men and caused his face to strike the roadway.

The witness also reported that when victim #2 attempted to intervene and assist his brother, Mapu allegedly approached him again and punched him, causing victim #2 to fall in front of the store.

The investigation determined that the victims are brothers and both are members of the village aumaga.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 07, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[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.]