Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 8, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call regarding a disturbance that led to the assault of a minor who was later also identified as one of the suspects in the alleged incident, according to the affidavit filed in the District Court, November 10, 2025.

Siamupigi Tanielu was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300.00, or both.

The defendant's bail was set at $1,000.

Court records reveal that on Nov 8th, a minor (later identified as suspect #1) was allegedly causing a disturbance in Faleniu, which alarmed the neighbors.

The investigation revealed that suspect #1 was yelling profanities in Samoan and throwing rocks at a family's residence, causing damage to the home and vehicle of the victim.

The disturbance alerted some of the neighbors who intervened, whereas one of the villagers, Siamupigi Tanielu (referred to as suspect #2), assaulted suspect #1.

Suspect #2 allegedly entered suspect #1's house and punched and kicked him in the face. Moreover, suspect #2 also assaulted suspect #1's father by beating him.

Authorities were dispatched to the scene and, upon arrival, police observed people standing along the road in Faleniu. The officers approached the crowd when they heard someone yelling out profanities. As the police officers got closer, a male, who was later identified as a minor (suspect #1), was seen being held down by a woman.

Suspect #1 was apprehended and placed in the police unit for transport to the police station for further investigation.

One of the officers spoke with suspect #1's mother. She stated that she and her husband were sleeping when they heard someone yelling out profanities. She then got up and walked out towards the source of the disturbance. When she got out of the house, she saw her son (suspect #1) fighting with suspect #2 and another individual.

Her husband pulled their son out of the fight where suspect #2 punched her son, and her husband covered the punches.

Moreover, the mother claimed that after they pulled out their son, suspect #2 kicked her son in the face. Further, suspect #2 and two other men rushed into their house and continued assaulting their son.

As a result, her husband jumped in and was punched by suspect #2. The other two men entered the house while she was trying to calm her son.

She then contacted the police for help.

After the interview, the officers located all the parties involved, with the minor's parents pointing out one of them. The individual was apprehended and taken to the police station for questioning.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the EMS was contacted to render aid to both suspects while the authorities interviewed one of the witnesses.

According to witness #1, she heard people yelling profanities, which caught her attention, and she walked over to where the disturbance was. Upon arrival at her neighbor's house, she saw the victim and an unknown kid calling into suspect #1's house.

She then walked inside the house, took out the guy who had been held back from entering the suspect's house, and locked the door.

The witness further stated that she does not know why the victim was trying to punch her, and she didn't do anything. The witness also mentioned that there were kids in the house along with suspect #2, who was held back from assaulting suspect #1.

At this point, she jumped and hugged suspect #1 to protect him from being attacked.

Witness #2 was also interview at TPS, explained that he was about to take a shower when he saw his mother pass by the house. He asked his mother if she was looking for someone, and she told him no. Witness #2 stated that he then heard someone yelling profanities, so he walked towards the road and saw suspect #1 running up with rocks; and, he ran up to suspect #1 with one of his cousins and tried to calm him down.

At this time, suspect #2 walked up and asked the minor if he was the one yelling out profanities, and punched the minor.

A car then drove fast by them, pulled up, and they saw the victim and another unknown individual jump out and continue fighting. The witness stated that he tried to intervene, but the fight was out of control.

Another witness also came forward and stated that she heard someone yelling profanities, and saw suspect #1 running towards the main road with rocks, followed by his father. When she walked to the road where the suspect was, she saw suspect #2 yelling at the minor and then punching him. The witness claimed she yelled at suspect #2 to leave suspect #1 alone and not make the situation worse.

However, the situation got worse when the victim and an unknown male jumped in and assaulted the minor.

After the interviews, suspect #1 was Mirandized, in which he understood and refused to make a statement.

He was booked and later released to go home with his parents. The affidavit notes that the suspect was also intoxicated and rowdy at the scene and the police station.

Suspect #2 was also Mirandized, understood the rights, and refused to make a statement.

He was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement, to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The unknown men were not found at the scene. According to some of the witnesses, one of these men was involved in assaulting the minor.

Suspect #2 is identified as a 44-year-old citizen of Samoa.