Suspect denies any involvement in alleged Mother’s Day assault

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 6th, 2025, a victim of an alleged assault walked into the Tafuna Police Substation with her mother. The victim alleged that her boyfriend assaulted her at her family home.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

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

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), 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 $2,000.

Court records revealed that on May 6th, a victim walked into the TPS with her mother to file a report regarding an assault. The victim alleged that she was assaulted by her boyfriend, later identified as Pulumu Fifita (suspect).

The assigned officers met with the victim and conducted an interview regarding what happened. According to the victim, the suspect got mad at her when they were discussing where to cook their meal for Mother’s Day. The suspect wanted to cook the pig at his home, but the victim disagreed. It was then that the suspect got mad and started shouting profanities in Tongan.

The victim continued that when she walked to the kitchen, the suspect came up to her and punched her head and stomach several times. He also threatened to beat her up and knock her out. The victim continued said that she chased the suspect out of the house and he responded by saying “he isn’t scared of any of her family members.”

The victim was advised to get medical assistance to which she refused.

The victim’s mother was also interviewed, and she stated that she was sitting in the living room when she heard her daughter (victim) and the suspect arguing in the kitchen. She then saw the suspect punch her daughter, in her stomach and started shouting profanities. She further stated that the suspect threatened to kill the victim and hide in his plantation.

Following the interviews, authorities proceeded to locate Mr. Fifita. He was found in Leone where he was immediately apprehended. During the process, authorities detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the suspect’s breath. He was transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, Fifita was Mirandized and agreed to provide a verbal statement.

According to the suspect, he didn’t punch or do anything to the victim. He stated that when the victim started a verbal argument, he walked out and headed home.

Fifita did not display any visible injuries.

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

Pulumu Fifita is identified as a 31-year-old U.S National.