Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 5, 2024, an off -duty officer reported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) that two suspects were disturbing the peace in a public place by engaging in a fight.

Both suspects were arrested and confined.

Samoa News was able to obtain only the affidavit for one of the suspects, Del Melei. It is as follows:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $1,000, or both.

Del Melei’s bail was set at $10,000.

According to the affidavit, on October 5th, at approximately 7:45 p.m., an off -duty officer (hereinafter reporter) contacted the TPS for assistance regarding suspects Del Melei (suspect #2) and Verrzanogiovanni Va’atofu (suspect #1) who were fighting at the Lions Park beside the volleyball court. It was later revealed that both suspects were intoxicated and were causing a public inconvenience and alarm.

Police officers arrived at the scene at about 8:05 p.m. and approached the reporter and gathered information regarding the incident. The reporter pointed out where both suspects were, and officers apprehended them separately and placed them inside a police unit.

The reporter also stated that they advised the suspects to leave but they refused.

Three witnesses were also transported to the TPS for interviews.

At around 8:20 p.m., the EMS paramedics arrived at the TPS and treated both suspects.

The officers interviewed all the witnesses who were brought into the station.

According to the first witness, he was at Lions Park playing volleyball with his friends when the incident occurred. The witness stated that Melei was fighting with Va’atofu and Melei attempted to cut Va’atofu’s neck with a 4-inch kitchen blade. The witness claimed that the fight started when Va’atofu blamed Melei for stealing his phone, which Melei denied.

Witness #2 stated that Melei challenged Va’atofu to a fight and that’s why they got into a fight where Melei attempted to cut Va’atofu’s neck with a kitchen blade.

Witness #3 stated that Va’atofu was hanging out with Melei at the side of the court and when Va’atofu was about to go home he asked Melei about his phone but Melei denied knowing where the phone was and they started arguing until they got into a fight.

At around 8:30 p.m., the officers Mirandized Va’atofu and he agreed to answer questions pertaining to the matter.

Va’atofu verbally stated that he was angry because someone stole his cell phone and that was the reason he ended up fighting with Melei at the Lions Park. Va’atofu also claimed that Melei attempted to cut his neck with a 4-inch kitchen blade. He explained that Melei’s action alarmed everyone at the scene and they tried to hold Melei back. Va’atofu admitted to engaging in a fight with Melei and shouting out the Samoan War cry (fa’aūmu).

Va’atofu was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) until the next available sitting of the District Court.

At about 9:00 p.m., officers Mirandized Melei and he was willing to answer questions about the incident.

Melei verbally stated that he was embarrassed that Va’atofu accused him of stealing his phone. As a result, he approached Va’atofu and grabbed him in a headlock. They started fighting until their friends stepped in to break up the fight. Melei also stated that he was just holding the 4-inch kitchen blade for self -defense and that he had no intention of cutting Va’atofu’s neck. Melei also admitted to drinking in a public place and causing a disturbance.

The affidavit states that Melei was booked and confined at the TCF to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

V. Va’atofu is identified as a 22-year-old U.S National whereas D. Melei is identified as a 26-year-old citizen of Samoa.