ASCC students arrested following campus fight

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 25, 2026, local authorities responded to a reported disturbance at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) campus involving four students who were allegedly involved in a physical altercation with two other students. The incident led to the arrest of four students however, only two suspects, Kenneth Teoni and Krishna Tusipa were later charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. Both defendants were held without bail. According to the police affidavit, the four suspects allegedly initiated a fight with the two victims (students) on school grounds. Police said the individuals exchanged punches using their bare hands. No visible injuries were observed on either victim, and both declined medical assistance. The incident was reported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) at approximately 10:21 a.m. by an ASCC representative, who told police that a fight had broken out among students and that the involved individuals were being held in the campus security office. The reporter requested immediate police assistance. Upon arrival at the college at approximately 10:46 a.m., authorities entered the campus security office, where they observed several male individuals gathered in the main office and additional individuals in another room with campus security personnel. The reporter informed police that everyone in the office had been involved in the fight. The officers subsequently detained six individuals and transported them to the TPS. Police were also informed that the incident had been captured on campus surveillance cameras. The reporter was instructed to provide the footage on a flash drive for police to collect and use as part of the investigation. At the TPS, officers separated the individuals to prevent any further escalation and interviewed the victims and suspects separately. VICTIMS' ACCOUNTS According to the first victim, he was sitting in class on the morning of Aug. 25, when two male students entered the classroom and began punching and kicking him while he was on the floor. The victim told police that the two students struck him multiple times in the head and face before running back outside the classroom. The second victim told police that the incident had its origins in an encounter the previous day, Aug. 24th. According to his account, he was walking down the stairs of the ASCC- CAPP building after being released from class when one of the suspects approached him and asked whether he had a problem with him. The suspect allegedly began walking towards him as though challenging him to fight. The victim said he then removed his backpack and asked the suspect whether he had a problem with him. The suspect allegedly suggested that they go to the bathroom, but the victim said nothing happened there. Later that day, while the victim was walking towards the school parking lot, he said the same suspect and approximately four or five other males approached him and began assaulting him. Campus security intervened and brought the individuals to the office. The victim said everyone eventually made amends, and he believed the matter had been resolved. However, on Aug. 25th, while walking to class, the victim said he heard from a neighboring classroom that the same individuals from the previous day were beating his friend. He said one of the suspects entered his classroom and began punching him in the head. As he attempted to protect himself, campus security intervened and moved the individuals outside.The victim alleged that while outside, one female suspect punched him as he attempted to push her away. He further stated that another male suspect wearing a white shirt followed and punched him in the face. Police examined both victims but reported that no visible injuries were observed. Both victims declined medical treatment. SUSPECTS' ACCOUNTS Police subsequently interviewed the four suspects after advising them of their constitutional rights. The first suspect told police that the confrontation began after the first victim approached her and her friends on the morning of Aug. 25 and asked about the individuals who had allegedly tried to fight the second victim the previous day. According to her account, she told the victim that she did not want any further problems. She said the victim cursed at her and threatened to bring his sister to fight her. She said that later, while she was in class, a fight broke out. According to her, her cousin, another one of the suspects, attempted to stop the fight but was punched. She said that when the altercation moved outside the classroom, she punched the second victim. The second suspect told police that the dispute stemmed from a mobile game — Call of Duty. He said that on Aug. 24th, the second victim approached him near the ASCC-CAPP building stairs and wanted to fight him. He said he initially told the victim that he would not waste his time fighting, but later became angry and told him to fight off campus because he did not want to fight on school grounds. According to the suspect, campus security witnessed the confrontation and brought them to the office, where they discussed the situation and were told not to engage in any further fighting. He said the matter appeared to have been resolved. The suspect said however that on Aug. 25th, the first victim approached him and indicated that he wanted to fight. He said he and another suspect then went into the victim's classroom, where a fight began. The third suspect provided a similar account, telling police that on the morning of Aug. 25th, the two victims approached him and attempted to start a fight. He said he agreed to fight them, and after they went into a classroom, he followed them inside, where the altercation continued. The fourth suspect told police that the dispute also originated the previous day and was connected to the Call of Duty game. He said he was not involved in the incident on Aug. 24. According to his account, on Aug. 25th, he was with the other suspects in a waiting area when the two victims approached them and attempted to start a fight. He said they did not respond because they believed the previous day's matter had already been resolved. He continue that while he was sitting in class, the other students began fighting in another room, and the altercation eventually continued into his classroom. He told police that he attempted to intervene and break up the fight but was punched in the process. He said he then tried to move the confrontation outside the classroom, where the victims again approached them and the fighting continued before the individuals ended up in the security office. At approximately 12:26 p.m., all four suspects were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending their next appearance in the District Court. As indicated by the affidavits, it would seem only two of the suspects have been charged. The affidavits were filed in the District Court on Aug. 26, 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
2026-09-04 18:00:17