A domestic disturbance call in rural Howell County escalated into a dangerous standoff on July 30 resulting in the arrest of a 25-year-old man now facing multiple felony charges.
At approximately 6:25 p.m., Corporal Travis Weaver and Deputy Michael Pauly responded to a report of a domestic incident on State Route U. Witnesses stated that Cyrus Lotu-Fa’Amanatu Maafala, of Waianae, Hawaii, had been abusing the family dog and, when confronted, assaulted a male relative and threatened to set the house on fire with family members—including children—inside.
Deputies arrived to find physical signs of a confrontation and pools of gasoline on the home’s wooden front porch. Maafala, armed with a large combat-style knife, reportedly refused to comply with repeated commands. A brief standoff followed as additional law enforcement arrived on scene.
As Maafala began advancing toward deputies while still armed, Deputy Pauly deployed a less-lethal shotgun, striking him three times with super-sock rounds. The suspect dropped the knife and was taken into custody without further incident. He was cleared by medical personnel and booked into the Howell County Jail on a 24-hour hold.
On July 31, Maafala was formally charged with:
- Domestic Assault – 1st Degree (Class D Felony)
- Attempted Arson – 1st Degree (Class C Felony)
- Armed Criminal Action (Unclassified Felony)
- Resisting Arrest (Class E Felony)
He is currently being held on $100,000 bond pending further legal proceedings.
