Police called to LBJ hospital after security breaks up a fight

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 30, 2025, police officers responded to an alleged public peace disturbance (PPD) at the LBJ Medical Center regarding two employees who got into an altercation.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $500, or both imprisonment and a fine; and,

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

The defendant’s bail was set at $2,000.

Court records revealed that on June 30th, around 10:07 a.m., authorities responded to a PPD case in progress at the LBJ Hospital.

Upon arrival at the scene, the officers were met by multiple security guards who directed the officers inside to the laboratory section of the hospital where the incident occurred.

As the officers arrived, they observed an individual with torn up clothes being surrounded by multiple security guards writing their report inside the laboratory area.

One of the security guards approached the officers and pointed to the individual with torn clothes and stated that he was the suspect. He was later identified as Elisara Ulaula.

According to the security guard, the feud between the suspect’s girlfriend and victim has been going on for days now. He claimed that it all started from their work schedule. The guard stated that the argument between the victim and the suspect’s girlfriend escalated to the point where both of their families showed up to their workplace due to them calling each other names and mentioning each other's families in their conversation.

The security guard explained that both the victim and the suspect’s girlfriend were inside their main office trying to sort things out with their superiors and supervisors; and, on their way back from the office, they waited inside the laboratory and were working things out when Ulaula entered the room and started punching the victim, who was sitting on one of the waiting benches.

Security continued that he was confused as to who this person was assaulting the victim, but he intervened by shoving Ulaula away from the victim who was sitting in a defensive curled position and covering his face.

The suspect was transferred to the authorities who transported him to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for further investigation.

The victim also went to TPS, and upon arrival at the station, police officers observed scratches all over the victim’s face and nose, a busted lower lip, multiple scratches and cuts and also peeled skin all over his left forearm.

The victim was interviewed. He stated that things were already settled and he was ready to move on when the suspect entered the room and started punching him.

He claimed that at one point while he was being assaulted, he felt the suspect choking him.

Ulaula was Mirandized and refused to make a statement.

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

The defendant is identified as a 23-year-old citizen of Samoa.