Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 24, 2026, a late-night disagreement between two men preparing food for a family event in Mapusaga escalated into a physical confrontation, leaving one man with laceration to his forehead, and another in police custody. The confrontation reportedly began over accusations involving the use of an elderly couple's vehicle to purchase marijuana.

The defendant, Stick Liu Chan, was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, 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 more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court records, the incident occurred shortly before midnight while the two men were preparing food near an umu, a traditional Samoan cooking area, for an event scheduled for the following day.

Police records indicate that the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a report of the incident at approximately 11:31 p.m. Responding officers arrived in Mapusaga at around 11:47 p.m., where they were directed to the residence by a man standing along the roadway.

Upon reaching the property, officers observed several family members gathered outside discussing what had happened. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel also arrived to assist with the reported injuries.

A woman who directed officers to the location of the altercation explained that she and her family had been inside their residence when they suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the house.

She went outside to investigate and reportedly witnessed Liu Chan and the victim involved in a heated verbal argument that had escalated into a physical confrontation. After noticing the victim's injuries, she contacted EMS for assistance.

When officers approached the victim, they observed a significant laceration measuring, approximately four inches, across his forehead. EMS personnel examined the injury and advised that its depth required stitches and further medical attention at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

Despite the recommendation, the victim refused transportation to the hospital. Emergency responders explained the importance of receiving additional treatment, but he continued to insist that he did not need to be taken to the medical facility. EMS personnel subsequently provided treatment at the scene.

Officers also observed that the victim appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. They encouraged him to allow medical personnel to conduct further evaluations, but he maintained that he was fine and there was no reason to worry about his condition.

During a subsequent interview, the victim informed investigators that he wanted to pursue the matter and proceed with a criminal complaint against Liu Chan.

In his verbal and written statements, the victim explained that he and Liu Chan had been preparing food for an event scheduled for the next day when the disagreement began.

The two men were working near the umu when Liu Chan allegedly confronted him about repeatedly using his elderly parents' vehicle to purchase marijuana.

The victim denied the accusation and told Liu Chan that he did not know what he was talking about.

Rather than continuing the disagreement, the victim claimed that he approached Liu Chan calmly and attempted to redirect their attention to the food preparations.

He reportedly told Liu Chan in Samoan, "Magaia le taimi nei e vavalu ai le popo," which was translated in the police affidavit as, "This is a good time to start preparing the coconuts for tomorrow's preparation."

The victim then asked Liu Chan for a speaker. During their interaction, the speaker was broken, although the affidavit does not clearly establish how the damage occurred or who was responsible.

The victim alleged that Liu Chan subsequently punched him and struck him with a frying pan, causing the injury to his forehead.

He further explained that his wife had been present during the confrontation and witnessed what happened. She reportedly intervened and helped separate the two men before the situation escalated further.

Investigators attempted to contact the victim's wife to obtain an independent account of the incident. However, she did not answer the telephone number provided to police, and officers were unable to obtain her statement at that time.

While some officers continued interviewing the victim and gathering information at the residence, another group began searching for Liu Chan.

At approximately 12:07 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, officers located Liu Chan and apprehended him without incident. He was placed in a police vehicle and transported to the TPS for further investigation, arriving at approximately 12:28 a.m.

At the TPS, an investigating officer Mirandized the defendant, who acknowledged that he understood those rights, waived them and voluntarily agreed to answer questions concerning the incident.

During his interview, Liu Chan confirmed that he and the victim had been involved in a confrontation that evening. However, his account of the events differed from the version provided by the victim.

Liu Chan explained that he had been consuming alcohol at approximately 7 p.m. while preparing food and other items for the following day's event.

He said the victim arrived at the residence while preparations were underway, and the two eventually began discussing the victim's alleged use of his parents' vehicle.

Liu Chan acknowledged questioning the victim about why he was always using the vehicle to purchase marijuana. However, before he could finish asking his question, the victim allegedly responded in Samoan, ]Leai ma sau feau ke le pule," which was translated in the affidavit as, "It's none of your business”.

Liu Chan claimed that the response led to the first confrontation between the two men near the rear of the umu.

He told investigators that the victim stood up and attempted to strike him. Liu Chan maintained that he moved out of the way to avoid being hit, causing the victim to lose his balance, falling forward and landing on his face.

Following the fall, Liu Chan said he helped the victim get back on his feet, although the victim allegedly continued resisting.

The suspect also claimed that he eventually returned to preparing food for the upcoming event and that the disagreement appeared to have ended.

He stated that both men were laughing afterward and that he did not understand why the victim had become upset.

However, the situation allegedly escalated again when the victim went toward Liu Chan's parents' residence and began calling out his name while using profanity.

Liu Chan told investigators that the victim shouted the Samoan profanity words, which angered him.

He explained that he became upset because the victim was using offensive language near his parents' home, prompting him to approach the victim and question his behavior.

Liu Chan said he confronted the victim about disrespecting his parents' residence, and the disagreement once again turned physical.

During this second confrontation, Liu Chan admitted to police that he punched the victim three times. However, he claimed that he could not remember what happened immediately afterward.

He told investigators that family members rushed toward them and intervened, separating the two men before the altercation could continue.

When questioned about the allegation that he had used a frying pan during the assault, Liu Chan stated that he did not recall striking the victim with any object.

The two accounts also differed regarding how the victim initially sustained his injuries.

While the victim maintained that Liu Chan punched him and struck him with a frying pan, Liu Chan claimed that the victim had fallen face-first during their first confrontation.

The affidavit does not indicate whether investigators recovered the alleged frying pan or obtained additional physical evidence establishing how the forehead injury occurred.

Following his interview, police offered Liu Chan an opportunity to receive medical attention from EMS personnel. Liu Chan declined the evaluation, explaining that he was fine and had sustained only minor scratches during the incident.

He was subsequently transported to the Tafunal Correctional Facility, where he was booked and confined for 48 hours pending further proceedings.

The defendant is identified as a 37-year old man, a Samoa citizen.

The victim is a 44-year-old man, a Samoa citizen.

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