Man facing assault charges after allegedly going after two men with a bat and machete

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 18, 2025, a distressed wife called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that a man allegedly entered their home and assaulted her husband and cousin with a bat and a machete.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, on July 18th, at about 12:30 p.m., TPS received a call from a woman (later identified as the reporter) requesting assistance at her home in Faleniu. The reporter briefly explained that a man entered their home and assaulted her husband and her cousin with a bat and a machete.

Police officers were dispatched to the call and upon arrival at the scene at about 12:45 p.m., they observed a woman and four men standing in front of a store in Faleniu. The officers made contact with the woman (reporter) who was obviously shaken from the incident that took place in her home.

The reporter told the authorities that she knew the person who assaulted her husband and her cousin, identifying the suspect as Epeili Vehitike.

The reporter explained that they had just returned home from her parents’ house when they heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door, she saw Vehitike and another man who was later identified as Sione. At this time, the suspect entered the house and started to strike her husband (victim #1) and her cousin (victim #2) with a bat and a machete.

The investigation into the incident later revealed that victim #1 sustained minor laceration and scratches to his left hand and arm, and victim #2 sustained injuries to the left arm, minor scratches and a bruised shoulder when he was struck by a baseball bat.

According to victim #2, “the suspect was swinging the bat sideways left to right”. Both victims were treated and released by EMS at the TPS.

The victims and the reporter later reported that Sione stood at the door during the assault but was not physically involved in the altercation. The officers canvassed the area for the suspect and Sione but they were nowhere to be found.

The victims were transported by police to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, victim #1 stated that he “saw the suspect walk towards him” swinging a bat and a machete at him. He said that he tried to protect himself using his hands to shield him.

Victim #2 refused to provide a written statement but gave a verbal explanation. He stated that he saw the suspect enter the house, walk towards victim #1 first, and started swinging the machete. When he (victim #2) walked towards the suspect, the suspect swung the bat at him. He then started to push back and the suspect started to run out of the house where they (victims) chased after him.

The affidavit does not provide any further details regarding the apprehension and arrest of the suspect.

The defendant is identified as 31-year-old U.S National