Family calls for peace between two young women

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 1, 2025, a concerned family member called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an alleged domestic dispute between two women.

One of the women was 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 up to $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on August 1st, at approximately 7:43 p.m., a woman (later identified as the reporter) reported an alleged disturbance and assault in Malaeimi.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival, they met with the reporter who directed them to the victim and the suspect’s house.

An investigation later revealed that the victim and suspect reside in the same household. They were also raised by the same guardian but are not biologically related.

Upon arrival at the scene, authorities documented the victim’s injuries and requested that she report to the TPS for further investigation. After the victim’s interview, the officers spoke with the suspect and informed her that she would be transported to the station for questioning.

The suspect was Mirandized later at the station and agreed to provide a statement regarding the incident.

According to the suspect, she stated that the situation started when she instructed the victim’s son to go to his room. The child began to cry which prompted the victim to intervene. Rather than asking the child what happened, the victim reportedly slapped her son.

The suspect claimed that she questioned the victim’s actions and told her that if she was upset with her, she should address her directly. The victim responded and told her that she has the right to discipline her child and that it was no one else's concern.

The suspect admitted that she got angry and physically assaulted the victim by punching her in the face and dragging her across the ground.

She also revealed that there were three separate physical altercations that occurred that day.

After the suspect’s interview, the officers interviewed the victim who confirmed that she had been physically assaulted by the suspect on three occasions that day. She stated that she was punched in the face and head, struck with a broom and was also scratched and punched in the eye.

The victim claimed that she attempted to defend herself and her mother had intervened to separate her from the suspect. She also stated that the suspect threw her clothes and belongings into the toilet and continued yelling profanities in the presence of her children.

Moreover, the suspect returned to their residence later and continued to yell profanities and then demanded to retrieve her daughter. Her mother tried to calm the suspect but she continued her disruptive behavior which led their aunt (reporter) to contact the police.

The witness (victim and suspect’s guardian/ mother) confirmed the accounts of both the victim and suspect. She also expressed concerns for the household’s safety, stating that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred. She shared that she fears that the suspect’s temper could lead to more serious harm in the future.

The victim sustained visible injuries including, facial scratches, and swelling in both eyes. The authorities requested medical assistance to treat the victim.

The suspect was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 27-year-old U.S National.