Alleged assault reported after banana tree cut down

By Samoa News staffreporters@samoanews.comPago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 11, 2026, a man identified as Aipolomaka Toafa arrived at the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) accompanied by his employer, Ben Sauvao, to report an assault that had occurred at his place of employment.The suspect, Alapati Tuifaiga, was charged with a single count of Assault in the Second Degree - a class D felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5000, or both such imprisonment and fine.No bail was indicated.According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on Jan. 23rd, Mr. Toafa stated that on Jan. 8, while working at the pig pens located at his employer’s residence, he took a short break and was using his cellphone. At that time, a co-worker, Mr. Tuifaiga approached him and questioned him about cutting down a banana tree belonging to him.The victim admitted that he had cut the banana tree. Following this admission, Tuifaiga became angry, retrieved a machete, and struck Toafa multiple times using the flat edge of the blade. The victim stated that he was struck approximately ten times, primarily on his left arm.The victim further stated that he begged the suspect to stop the assault. The suspect then ceased striking him and walked away from the area, returning to his residence. The victim remained at the worksite with visible injuries.The incident was later discovered when the employer observed injuries on the Toafa’s arm and questioned him about their cause. After learning of the assault, the employer accompanied Toafa to the FPS to report the matter.Upon observation by officers, the victim displayed visible injuries to his left arm. He sustained two scratch-type abrasions measuring approximately four inches in length and one minor laceration to the left wrist measuring approximately one centimeter wide. Photographs of the injuries were taken for evidentiary purposes.The victim was asked if he required medical treatment; however, he declined medical attention.Tuifaiga was later located and transported to the FPS for questioning. He was advised of his constitutional rights and voluntarily waived those rights.The suspect provided a written statement regarding the incident.In his statement, Tuifaiga admitted to striking Toafa with the flat edge of a machete. He stated that he confronted the victim after noticing that bananas from his tree were missing. Toafa reported that the victim admitted to cutting the tree. The suspect stated that he struck the victim three times before walking away and returning to his residence.Both the victim and the suspect are employed at the same worksite. The incident occurred at their shared place of employment in the village of Fagatogo. The suspect was released following questioning and the matter remains under investigation.The suspect is identified as a 60-year-old citizen of Samoa.Section: Local NewsTags: court report
2026-02-20 18:29:56