Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 14, 2026, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that a man allegedly assaulted her cousin in front of a store in Nu’uuli, injuring the victim.

The suspect fled the scene but was later charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (as a class A misd.), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the court records, the incident happened in front of Island Engraving, across from the Shoe Tree in Nu’uuli at approximately 7:21 p.m. on July 14th.

The defendant has been identified as Siufaga Moana.

Police officers were dispatched to the area in a patrol unit after receiving the report. When officers arrived, they encountered a small crowd gathered in front of Island Engraving. Among the people at the scene was the alleged victim, who was bleeding from the back of his head.

Police immediately requested emergency medical assistance while officers photographed the victim's visible injuries.

According to the police report, the person who reported the incident told investigators that she was driving home when she saw Siufaga punch the victim.

She reportedly parked her vehicle across from the scene and got out. The witness told police that she then saw Siufaga continue kicking the victim while he was on the ground.

The witness yelled at the suspect, according to the report.

Siufaga then reportedly ran behind the store and fled from the area.

The victim told responding officers that Siufaga was wearing a red shirt and long black pants when the alleged assault occurred. Officers searched the surrounding area in an attempt to locate him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

While officers remained at the scene, another police unit arrived to provide assistance.

The victim was placed inside a police vehicle while officers continued their investigation and waited for EMS personnel.

The victim also provided police with information about where Siufaga reportedly lived. Officers subsequently traveled to the suspect's residence, however, when officers arrived, no one was home.

The investigating officer stated that the residence was familiar from a previous case.

Police later returned to the TPS and obtained additional information concerning the suspect from the lead investigator of the earlier case.

The victim was eventually transported to the TPS to await medical assistance.

EMS personnel did arrive and examine the victim and determined that the victim had suffered a minor laceration to the back of his head. The injury did not require stitches.

After receiving medical treatment, the victim was interviewed by investigators.

According to the victim's statement, the incident began with a verbal argument.

The victim told police that he had borrowed an iPad charger belonging to Siufaga but had misplaced it.

The disagreement over the charger reportedly led to a verbal confrontation.

The victim said Siufaga then moved behind him and struck him on the right side of his face with his fist.

The victim told investigators that someone helped him get back up after he was struck. It was then that he noticed he was bleeding.

The victim said he did not remember being kicked while he was on the ground.

However, after investigators gathered additional information, they determined that the victim had apparently blacked out to some degree after being struck in the face.

The victim was later released after receiving medical attention.

Police were unable to locate Siufaga after the alleged assault.

Investigators searched the area immediately after the incident and later went to the suspect's reported residence, but he was not found.

According to the police report, Siufaga remains at large.

The defendant is identified as a 31 year-old U.S national.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 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.]