Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 21, 2026, a man called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported people fighting in the village of Auma. 

The call led to the arrest of a suspect who was later charged as follow:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, 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 a year, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute involving relatives residing in the same neighborhood. What began as a confrontation along the main road reportedly escalated into a physical fight involving punches, a baseball bat, and rocks being thrown between the opposing groups.

Police received a telephone call at approximately 4:36 p.m. reporting that several people were fighting in Auma village. Officers from the TPS responded to the scene in multiple police units.

Upon arrival, responding officers observed a large crowd gathered in the area and three individuals who appeared to have sustained injuries during the altercation. The three injured individuals were identified as victims in the case.

One of the victims informed officers that he and his relatives had been assaulted by the suspect, later identified as Foalima Tatupu and two other individuals, including a minor, who were allegedly armed with baseball bats.

Bystanders directed police to a nearby location where the individuals allegedly involved in the confrontation could be found.

Officers subsequently approached two individuals identified in the complaint and instructed them to report to the TPS for further investigation.

Both individuals traveled to the police station in a private family vehicle. Meanwhile, the injured individuals were transported to the TPS in police units, where emergency medical personnel provided treatment.

According to one of the victims, the incident occurred while he and several relatives were cleaning their residential property. After collecting trash around their residence, the group walked toward the main road in the Auma-Leone area to dispose of the garbage.

As they approached the road, they reportedly noticed a group of males gathered near an abandoned building.

The victim told investigators that Tatupu approached their group and challenged them to a fight. A confrontation subsequently developed between Tatupu and one of the individuals, who had been helping with the cleanup.

The victim stated that while the confrontation was taking place, another individual approached him carrying a baseball bat. He alleged that the individual struck him in the face with the bat, causing his nose to bleed and leaving bruises around his mouth.

The victim described the incident as happening quickly, leaving little time to react before he was struck.

Another victim told police that the confrontation was connected to an ongoing disagreement involving his father and relatives living in the same neighborhood. According to his statement, tensions between the families had existed for several weeks before the September 21 incident.

The victim confirmed that he and his relatives had been collecting and disposing of trash when they encountered the group gathered near the abandoned structure.

He reported seeing several males standing along the roadside and believed they were waiting for his group to pass. The victim stated that Tatupu approached them and asked whether they wanted to fight.

According to the police report, Tatupu allegedly initiated the physical confrontation by punching the victim in the face. The two then engaged in a fight.

During the altercation, the victim reportedly observed another individual holding a baseball bat and striking his brother in the face. He further alleged that the individual was swinging the bat in different directions during the fight.

Concerned for his brother's safety, the victim attempted to intervene and protect him from further blows. However, while trying to assist his brother, he was allegedly struck near his left eye with the baseball bat.

The victim sustained swelling and bruising around his left eye.

Investigators also interviewed witnesses who were present when the altercation occurred.

One witness stated that he had been assisting his friends with disposing of trash near the main road when he noticed several males standing near an abandoned cement structure. According to his verbal and written statements, the group appeared to be waiting for the individuals who were walking toward the roadside. He reported hearing Tatupu challenge the group to a fight while walking in their direction. He then observed Tatupu punch one of the victims, after which the two became involved in a physical altercation. The witness told investigators that he attempted to intervene and separate those involved in the fight.

A second witness, who was interviewed in the presence of his father, provided a similar account of the events leading up to the confrontation.

He confirmed that he had been helping collect trash at the residence before the group proceeded toward the main road. He confirmed what had been reported by other witnesses of the event, adding that the confrontation eventually involved several people rather than remaining a fight between only two individuals. 

He noted further that during the altercation, Tatupu allegedly began throwing rocks toward the opposing group. The witness also admitted that he then participated in the event, by throwing rocks back in their direction.

Victims are identified as being 17 and 19 years old, and witnesses as 13 and 18 years old.

Following the incident, police interviewed Tatupu regarding his involvement.

According to the report, Tatupu was mirandized and signed a form indicating that he was willing to provide a statement to investigators.

During the interview, Tatupu reportedly explained that his involvement in the confrontation was motivated by concerns for his girlfriend's safety.

He told investigators that his girlfriend's relatives had been involved in ongoing disagreements with other individuals in the neighborhood. Tatupu said he became concerned that something might happen while he was at his girlfriend's residence. 

According to his statement, he contacted two friends by cellular phone and asked them to accompany him to the residence in case a confrontation occurred.

Tatupu acknowledged that he was involved in the physical altercation. He also admitted that he threw the first punch, striking one of the victims in the face. Following the initial punch, Tatupu stated that he and the victim engaged in a fight. Tatupu further admitted throwing rocks toward the opposing group during the confrontation.

According to the report, two victims described injuries consistent with their allegations of being struck with a baseball bat, including a bleeding nose, bruising around the mouth, and swelling near the left eye.

A third individual was also identified by responding officers as an injured victim, and emergency medical personnel attended to the injured individuals after they were transported to the TPS.

The statements collected during the investigation indicated that the incident was preceded by disagreements among relatives in the neighborhood.

Following the police investigation, Tatupu was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

The defendant is identified as a 22-year-old U.S national.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 23, 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.]