Argument erupts with son allegedly assaulting his father

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 25, 2026, a man accused of repeatedly striking his father with a cricket bat during a domestic dispute in Vaitogi is facing criminal charges after allegedly fleeing the scene before police arrived. The suspect was later charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of up to $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree ( Class A Misd.), 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 records, Kid Bartley Jr. allegedly assaulted his father during an argument at their residence in the morning, leaving the victim with multiple injuries to his upper body, before escaping on foot. Police said the incident was reported at approximately 7:10 a.m., after the suspect had allegedly been yelling during an argument with his father. Authorities allege that the confrontation escalated into a violent assault when the suspect armed himself with a cricket bat and repeatedly struck his father before fleeing the area. At approximately 7:31 a.m., police officers responded to the residence to investigate the reported assault. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, who remained at the scene. Investigators observed several visible injuries, including wounds to his left arm, the right side of his abdomen, his left ear, his left shoulder, and his right elbow. While the lead investigator interviewed the victim, other responding officers immediately began searching the surrounding neighborhood in an effort to locate the suspect and recover the cricket bat allegedly used during the assault. Police also requested EMS to respond to the residence to provide medical treatment for the victim. According to the victim, he and his son had been involved in a verbal argument shortly before the alleged assault occurred. Investigators noted that the victim appeared shaken and was still in shock while providing his statement. Due to his condition, he initially had difficulty remembering exactly what had sparked the disagreement. The victim told police that during the confrontation he called his brother in an effort to seek help or notify him of the situation. However, the phone call ended abruptly when the suspect allegedly attempted to strike him. The victim stated that the suspect briefly left the residence before returning moments later carrying a cricket bat. Authorities allege that the suspect then repeatedly struck the victim with the bat, hitting him on his left arm and several other parts of his body. After the assault ended, the suspect immediately fled the residence on foot. The victim told investigators that he attempted to follow the suspect but was only able to see him running away before losing sight of him. The victim's brother later arrived at the residence and was interviewed by investigators. According to his statement, he had been driving to LBJ Tropical Medical Center for a scheduled appointment when he received a phone call from the victim. While speaking on the phone, he heard loud yelling in the background before the conversation suddenly ended when the call was disconnected. Concerned that something serious had happened, he immediately contacted police before driving to the residence to check on his brother. His account helped investigators establish the sequence of events leading up to the reported assault. At approximately 8:13 a.m., EMS arrived at the residence and began treating the victim's injuries. After examining him, EMTs determined that additional medical evaluation was necessary. The victim was transported to the hospital for further examination and treatment. Th police report did not indicate the full extent of his injuries but confirmed that he received medical care following the assault. After the victim was transported from the scene, officers continued searching for the suspect. Investigators canvassed the surrounding neighborhood, searched the area around the residence, and checked a nearby field behind the property where the suspect was believed to have fled. Officers also gathered additional information from family members regarding locations the suspect was known to frequent. Despite conducting an extensive search, police were unable to locate the suspect or recover the cricket bat believed to have been used during the assault. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue their efforts to locate the suspect and complete their investigation. The defendant is identified as a 32-year-old U.S National. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 02, 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
2026-07-13 18:36:55