Drunk man threatens man believing the man is ‘scolding’ him

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 21, 2024, a male individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report a male individual who was allegedly causing a disturbance and threatening to kill him.

The suspect was apprehended and later charged with Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the court affidavit, on Dec, 21st, Nicholas Harmon (later identified as the suspect) was allegedly causing a disturbance on a public highway by yelling profanities and threatening another male individual (victim). The suspect was intoxicated and told the victim that “I will kill you and cut you into pieces.”

The victim contacted the TPS regarding the said incident. The officers responded and upon arrival they observed the suspect on the road viciously yelling at the victim and his family. The victim and his family were inside their home feeling threatened and scared while waiting for police assistance.

Officers approached the victim and family for an interview while other officers located the suspect.

During the victim’s interview, he verbally stated that he was scolding and yelling at his son for not listening and doing his chores. All of sudden, he overheard someone answering him back from the road and yelling profanities. The person and also saying “It’s none of your business”.

He replied back that he was not talking to him but the suspect ignored him and started to cause a disturbance by yelling profanities at him and his family. The suspect then walked along the main road heading to the store. The father said he continued scolding his son, but the suspect thought he was yelling at him and they started to exchange words.

The officers also interviewed the victim’s son, he stated that he was inside his room when he heard his father scolding and yelling at him for not doing his chores. However, he heard his father’s tone change and he (the father) started yelling at the road. When he came out of his room to see what was happening, he saw the intoxicated suspect standing in front of their house yelling and verbally threatening his father. He tried to calm his father down because he has health issues.

The suspect was apprehended and later transported to the TPS. At the time, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the suspect and decided not to Mirandize him because he was too drunk to understand.

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

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National.