Volleyball game in Aasu leads to alleged assault of one of the players

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 25, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a woman reporting that four men assaulted her nephew in the village of Aasu. Three of the men were apprehended and later charged with the following, while a fourth man was also later charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable b y imprisonment for up t o one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. According to the court affidavit, the incident was reported by a family member, who said that four men had allegedly assaulted another man following an argument near a volleyball area in Aasu. Officers responded to the scene and arrived approximately 18 minutes later. When police arrived, the victim reportedly waved down officers near his residence. Investigators stated that the reporting party was unable to speak with officers at the time because a family meeting was taking place at the home. Officers instead interviewed the victim directly and conducted a physical observation of his injuries while emergency medical personnel provided treatment. Court documents further stated that the victim suffered visible injuries, including a swollen right eye, a cut on the eyelid, injuries inside the upper lip, and bruising on the left side of his face. EMS personnel reportedly treated the victim at the scene before officers continued their investigation. According to the victim’s statement to police, the incident began while he and four other men were playing volleyball. The victim told investigators that after the final game, one of the players, later identified as Jason Selesele, allegedly kicked the volleyball into nearby bushes. The victim stated that he told Selesele to retrieve the ball because he had kicked it away. Investigators said the victim claimed Selesele ignored the request and began walking away from the area. The victim then confronted Selesele about the volleyball, which allegedly escalated the situation into a physical altercation. According to the victim, Selesele punched him first, and moments later three additional men joined the fight. The victim alleged that all four men assaulted him simultaneously. Police later identified the other suspects as Taulauniu Niko, Palemene Niko, and Viliamu Niko. Court records indicated that the victim identified the suspects to officers shortly after the incident. After interviewing the victim, officers traveled to a residence connected to the suspects. Authorities stated they located Selesele, Taulauniu Niko, and Palemene Niko at the home and confirmed their identities before taking them into custody. The three suspects were transported to the TPS for questioning. The court affidavit also noted that the fourth suspect, Viliamu Niko, was not present when officers arrived because he had reportedly left the area before police approached the residence. Authorities stated efforts to locate him were ongoing at the time the affidavit was submitted. At the police station, investigators separately advised each suspect of their constitutional rights. According to court documents, Selesele and Palemene Niko agreed to waive their rights and provide statements regarding the incident, while Taulauniu Niko declined to provide a statement to investigators. In his statement to police, Selesele allegedly admitted becoming angry during the volleyball game because he was often the person required to retrieve the ball whenever it went into the bushes. He reportedly told investigators that after the final game he intentionally kicked the volleyball into the bushes and began walking home. Selesele also stated that the victim called out to him and demanded that he retrieve the ball. Investigators reported that Selesele allegedly admitted that the confrontation became heated and that he punched the victim multiple times. He further claimed that his relatives then joined the altercation and began striking the victim as well. Selesele identified Viliamu Niko as the first person to intervene in the fight after the initial confrontation began. According to investigators, Selesele alleged that the other two suspects joined shortly afterward and participated in assaulting the victim. Palemene Niko, in his statement to investigators, told police that he witnessed the victim confronting Selesele over the volleyball and admitted that he and his brothers joined the fight after Selesele and the victim began exchanging punches. Following questioning, authorities booked Selesele, Taulauniu Niko, and Palemene Niko at the TPS before transporting them to the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending their appearance in District Court. It is not known if the 4th man was later apprehended, according to the court document. The matter remains under investigation. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 27, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-05-19 18:29:56