Verbal argument morphs into rock throwing incident

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 28, 2025, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a woman requesting assistance regarding a couple of women who stoned their vehicle while her young children were inside.

Two women were 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 not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Property Damage in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

Bail for both defendants was set at $500 each.

Court records stated that on May 28th, at around 11:30 a.m., a woman (later identified as victim #1) contacted TPS to report that a couple of individuals allegedly stoned her vehicle while her children were inside.

Serving the call, police officers while approaching the Catholic Church in Pavaiai, were waved down by victim #1. The victim informed the officers that she and her husband along with their three children stopped by a store in Iliiili when a vehicle pulled up next to their vehicle — the driver of the said vehicle was Koreti Smith (suspect #1) and her sister, along with three other individuals including Elsie Meredith (suspect #2) who were passengers.

Victim #1 explained that suspect #1 directed her attention to her husband (victim #2) by asking him questions regarding a previous matter between them. The reporter stated that she and her husband argued verbally with suspect #1, Smith, who exited her vehicle and grabbed a rock from the ground. Smith then threw the rock at their car.

She said when she tried to hop out of the car, all of the passengers in the other car exited their vehicle and attempted to throw rocks at them. They then hopped back into their vehicle and sped off.

Her husband proceeded to follow the vehicle to try and get a clear look at the other car’s license plate. However, Smith stopped their vehicle and her sister and Meredith jumped out and started throwing rocks at her and her husband. They in turn sped off and contacted the police station to report the matter while waiting in Pavaiai.

The officers observed that victim #1 appeared heated and worried about her children that were inside the car when the incident happened. The victim had an 11-month-old, a 5-year-old and a 4-year-old and she wanted to pursue the matter because her family was traumatized from what happened.

Authorities went to the store to view footage of the incident. The video showed suspect #1 (Smith) exiting her vehicle to pick up a rock and throw it at victim #1, who was situated on the passenger side of the car.

The investigation later revealed that the damage to the car from the rocks that were thrown consisted of minor dents on the side of the passenger door.

The officers located the suspects and upon approaching their residence, all three suspects were observed standing outside. The officers met up with Smith and Meredith and they were apprehended and transported to the police station for further investigation.

Koreti Smith was Mirandized to which she understood and was willing to provide a statement.

She verbally stated that they had a previous case with victims in which her children’s vehicle was damaged by victim #2. Smith explained that she was hurt and angry with what victim #2 and what he did with her children. As a result, when she saw the victim’s vehicle pulling up next to theirs at the store she rolled her window down while victim #1 rolled her window down as well.

She said she asked victim #2, “How could you do this to my kids’ car?” and “How could you do such a thing when you know my brother is your in-law?”

Victim #2 replied, “So what?” in Samoan, which hurt her and she grabbed a rock and threw it at the bottom of the passenger side door where victim #1 was situated, carrying her baby. Suspect #1 also stated that she knew victim #1 was carrying a baby and that’s why she threw the rock at the bottom of the car. They then left the scene and victim #2 kept following them.

Elsie Meredith (suspect #2), was also Mirandized whereas she understood and offered to make a statement.

According to Meredith, they stopped by at the store because Smith wanted to ask victim #2 about what he did to her kids’ car. However, when Smith asked him, victim #2 said something that made Smith mad. That’s when Smith stepped out of the vehicle and threw a rock at the victims’ car. When they saw victim #2 getting out of his car, they all got out of the vehicle.

When they left, victim #2 followed them and hit the back of their vehicle where they got out and started throwing rocks while the victims’ car sped off.

Smith and Meredith were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Smith is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National and Meredith is identified as a 33-year-old U.S National.