Brother flees after family reports disturbance

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 5, 2025, a woman called the Tafuna Police Substation and reported her brother for allegedly disturbing the peace — throwing rocks and harassing their elderly neighbor, who was also their aunt.

‘The suspect was later apprehended and charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the court affidavit, on August 5th, at approximately 8:18 p.m., a woman (the reporter) contacted the TPS regarding her brother (the suspect). The reporter alleged that the suspect was causing a disturbance at their residence and attempting to start a fight with their neighbor, their aunt.

Authorities responded to the call and, upon arrival at the scene in Iliili, met up with the reporter, who informed them that the suspect had fled when he overheard her calling the police.

‘The reporter also said that the suspect, her younger brother has been exhibiting this type of behavior for an extended time period, and she is tired of it. She further expressed that it is heartbreaking and disrespectful to see her brother suffering from drug abuse.

For this incident, the reporter stated that the suspect had been yelling profanities at their neighbor, an older woman, who is their aunt. The suspect also threw rocks at the victim’s house while continuing to shout offensive and nonsensical remarks. The reporter claimed that the suspect’s actions have been an ongoing issue in their neighborhood.

After the reporter’s interview, the police approached the victim’s residence to obtain a statement. According to the victim, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. She said that the suspect has been verbally abusing her for several years, but she continued to forgive him because they’re related.

The victim further stated that on most days, when she exits her home, she finds markings and offensive writing on the walls or stairs of her residence, allegedly written by the suspect. The suspect would use vulgar insults and call her names using foul language.

Moreover, the victim stated that her brother would sometimes walk over to her house and call her names. Also, in a separate incident, she passed by a container located at the entrance to the road leading to his house, where she saw spray-painted graffiti with her name all over the container.

‘The victim said that at the time she was overwhelmed with anger upon seeing this and informed her sons about the matter. As a result, her children would occasionally confront the suspect. In response, the suspect would react aggressively by throwing rocks at their home, at times, and engaging in a physical altercations with her sons.

After interviewing the victim, the officers left the scene to attempt to locate the suspect in the Iliili Golf Course area. At approximately 9:23 p.m., the reporter informed the authorities that the suspect had returned to their residence.

The officers returned to the scene, where the suspect was immediately apprehended and transported to the TPS for further processing.

The suspect was later Mirandized, to which he understood and agreed to provide a statement.

‘The suspect claimed that the reason for his actions was “due to the victim speaking negatively about him behind his back.” He expressed that he felt embarrassed walking around their compound because his neighbors and family made derogatory comments and accused him of using women. He claimed that he “believes that the victim is the one who started and spread these rumors.”

As a result, he admitted that he acted out of anger by writing offensive words directed at the victim on the walls and stairs of their home. Additionally, regarding the graffiti on the container, the suspect admitted to spray-painting the vulgar message directed towards the victim. He stated that he was angry when he did it, but he is willing to paint it over it.

The suspect expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledged his mistake, and apologized for his behavior.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Authorities later interviewed a witness, and he stated that the family continued to be affected by the suspect’s actions. He claimed that some of the family members are afraid to report the incidents.

The suspect is identified as a 32-year-old U.S National.