Dispute over village curfew bell results in a man’s arrest

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 45-year-old Lauli'i man made his initial appearance in District Court on June 11, 2026, in connection with allegations that he threatened to shoot a woman during a dispute involving the removal of a village curfew bell from land claimed by the Aulava family. The defendant, Samuelu Pulou was charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the charges stem from an incident reported to the Faga'itua Police Substation (FPS) on October 7, 2025, involving members of the Aulava family and individuals associated with the village aumaga (village community police). Police officers responded to the scene after receiving a report of a disturbance in Lauli'i. Upon arrival, officers met with the senior matai of the Aulava family, who explained that family members wanted the village curfew bell removed from their property and relocated elsewhere. The family reportedly informed members of the aumaga that they no longer wanted the bell situated on their land. While officers were gathering information, a woman (later identified as the victim) approached police and reported that she had been verbally threatened by one of the individuals involved in the dispute. Officers separated the victim from the crowd and conducted an interview before obtaining a written statement. According to the victim, tensions escalated after repeated requests were made for the bell to be removed from the family land. She told investigators that one of the aumaga members became angry during the confrontation and threatened to shoot her. As part of the investigation, police obtained video footage recorded during the incident. Although investigators were unable to determine whether a firearm was present at the scene, the recording clearly captured statements allegedly made by the defendant threatening the woman, in Samoan, indicating that he would come over and shoot the victim. Investigators also observed in the footage a black SUV arriving and parking along the roadside near the ocean side of the village. Shortly after the vehicle arrived, officers reported hearing a loud noise on the recording that sounded similar to a gunshot originating from the beach side of the road. Police noted that the alleged threat was made shortly afterward; and while no firearm was observed in the video, investigators considered the timing of the statements and the loud noise significant to their investigation. Witness statements collected by police generally supported the victim's account. One member of the Aulava family told investigators that she observed the defendant arrive at the scene and shortly thereafter heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from the beach area. She stated that family members had been requesting that the aumaga relocate the bell when the defendant allegedly began making threatening remarks toward the victim. Another family member reported hearing a similar loud noise and claimed that several individuals associated with the aumaga were carrying items such as a pipe, a baseball bat and a stick during the confrontation. She told police that she also heard the defendant threaten to shoot the victim. The dispute centers on the location of the village curfew bell and whether members of the aumaga had permission to keep it on land claimed by the Aulava family. Police later interviewed the defendant at the FPS after he was Mirandized and he acknowledged understanding his rights and agreed to provide a statement. According to the affidavit, the defendant admitted making statements involving guns during the confrontation. It states that he acknowledged yelling words that translated to, “”Is gunshots what you want?” ["Po'o le fa'apapa fana o lo'o manana'o ai?”] Authorities cited the defendant's statement as corroborating witness accounts that references to gunfire were made during the incident. Although no physical injuries were reported, prosecutors allege that the defendant's statements placed the victim in fear and constituted a criminal threat. The case remains pending before the District Court. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on June 11, 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
2026-06-24 15:59:30