Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 21, 2024, a female individual called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report an alleged assault at their residence. The suspect allegedly attacked his brother-in-law with a piece of cement. He then fled the scene.

He was later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Second Degree (DV ) With Penalty Enhancement, a class D felony, but with a penalty enhancement by one class above the class provided (class C  felony).

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV) WIth Penalty Enhancement, a class C misdemeanor, but with a penalty enhancement by one class above the class provided (class B misdemeanor).

The defendant’s bail was set at $50,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Nov. 21st, a female individual contacted the FPS reporting she was in need of assistance. Police officers responded, and upon arrival, they met up with the female individual (reporter) who briefed them on what happened.

The reporter stated that the victim had injuries on his face and his right shoulder. EMS was contacted shortly after to meet at the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to treat the victim.

The officers were told by the reporter that Ausage Lelilo (suspect) was in his room on the second floor of their residence. The officers surveyed the area but could not locate the suspect. The victim is the brother-in-law of the suspect. Their respective wives are sisters and the two families live together.

A witness was also interviewed and he stated that he overheard the victim and the suspect having an argument on the first floor of the balcony. Moreover, the suspect grabbed a Samoan staff and pointed it at the victim. Then he saw the suspect assault the victim with a broken cement part of the balcony fence and proceeded to punch the victim repeatedly. The witness stated that the two then got into a fight.

The victim was escorted with the reporter to the TPS for further questioning. The injuries observed on the victim included scratches on the right side of his chest, scratches on his right ear, a cut that bled behind his right shoulder and scratches on his upper lip.

EMS arrived at the TPS and treated the victim. He declined to be taken to the hospital and was cleared to stay and continue making his statement.

According to the victim, the issue began on Nov. 18, 2024, when Lelilio approached him and questioned him about the supposed cameras being installed in his bathroom. The victim claimed that “whenever the suspect is paranoid like this, it is most likely because of his usage of illegal substances.”

On Nov. 19, 2024, the reporter called her sister (suspect’s wife) to address the situation. During the call, the reporter confronted the suspect and warned him that she would call his probation officer.

Then on Nov. 21, 2024, the victim stated that he was sitting outside while on his phone when the suspect came and sat on a chair next to him on the balcony. The suspect then asked him “ if he was testing him?” to which he replied, “Yes, and that I am not afraid of you but because you are older than me, I choose to respect you.”

The victim said the suspect accused him of being on drugs and grabbed a piece of broken cement from the balcony and struck him on the side of his face. The victim explained he grabbed the suspect’s hand with the cement piece whereas the suspect struck him with his opposite hand on the opposite side of his face. He started defending himself by fighting back and the suspect grabbed his hand and started choking him. The victim pushed the suspect back and fled to his room. He stated that the reporter saw blood on him and she pulled him into the room.

It was also noted in the court affidavit that the suspect had previously been arrested for domestic violence. The reporter and victim were also advised to stay aware of their surroundings and to contact the TPS if the suspect returns at their residence.

The officers also returned to the scene to locate the suspect but their efforts were unsuccessful. The suspect was still at large during the time of the investigation.

The suspect is identified as a 44-year-old citizen of Samoa.