Three men allegedly assault male victim

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 16, 2024, a female individual contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report a male individual, with two others helping him, were allegedly causing a disturbance, and had assaulted her husband.

Mika Lotu was arrested and later charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

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

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

On December 16th, at around 10:50 p.m., an individual contacted the FPS to report that an individual was intoxicated and was yelling profanities in their village.

Police officers proceeded to the call and while approaching the location they heard someone yelling and screaming profanity. The officers noticed a male individual (later identified as a witness) walking up the road. The witness pointed out where the suspect was located and what he was wearing.

As the officers exited the police unit, a female approached them and told them that her husband needs medical attention.

Two officers went to the house where the suspect, Mika Lotu was located while one of the officers made his way to the victim’s house.

The victim was then identified and the officers noticed a deep laceration on the left side of the victim’s head. The victim was notified that he will be accompanied to the station for medical treatment and further investigation.

The officer also met up with three individuals outside the victim’s house who identified themselves as witnesses. The officer conducted an interview with two of the eye witnesses.

Witness #1 verbally stated that Mika Lotu was drinking and yelling profanities, and she went and told the suspect to stop yelling and to go home to get some rest. However, the witness claimed that the suspect threatened her and told her that “ I will come there and punch you in the face using this beer can”.

She continued that the victim came and tried to calm the suspect down but the suspect threatened the victim by saying he was going to call his family members to attack the victim if he didn't let him go. The victim let the suspect go and as soon as he turned his back, the suspect punched him using an unopened beer can. Moreover, two other suspects, 19 year-old Fiailoa Jr. Poutasi and a minor ran up and attacked the victim. The witness also stated she saw the minor grab a traffic cone and swung it towards the victim. It made contact and she saw blood bursting out from the victim’s head.

The other witness corroborated the first witness’s account of the incident.

Upon apprehending the suspect, the officers detected an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. Both parties were transported to the FPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the FPS, the victim was treated by EMS and was later transported to the emergency room for further treatment.

The suspect was Mirandized and later booked and confined awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

After the victim was treated at the LBJ Hospital, he was brought back to the station for an interview.

The victim collaborated what the witness had seen, adding, “I didn’t do anything because I knew he was drunk.”

He also identified that Fiailoa Jr. Poutasi and a minor attacked him.

He stated he didn’t hit anyone but saw someone breaking up the fight. He said he walked away again and then he felt something hard hit him on the head and his head started bleeding. He stated he looked back and saw that it was the minor standing with the traffic cone.

The victim’s wife was also interviewed and she reiterated what her husband had said, explaining that when her husband walked away, the suspect punched him with a beer bottle and 2 other suspects jumped in and assisted the suspect. She saw the minor suspect strike her husband with a traffic cone whereas he started bleeding from his head. She then called for medical assistance.

The victim and his wife were transported to their home when the officers observed the other two suspects sitting in front of their home. The two suspects were asked to make their way to the FPS with their legal guardians. Both suspects were Mirandized and interviewed regarding the incident.