Man Charged with Attempted Murder in January Honoli’i Shooting

John Perez. HPD photo.

Forty-three-year-old John Perez has been charged in connection to an early morning shooting near the Honoli’i lookout on Jan. 31.

Area I Criminal Investigations Section detectives charged Perez at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning with attempted second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, ownership/possession prohibited, and firearm on highway.

Perez’ bail was set at $350,000 and he remains at the Hilo police cellblock awaiting his initial court appearance, set for Friday afternoon.

HPD continues to seek witnesses to the shooting, which occurred just before 4:35 a.m.

Early in the morning on Jan. 31, officers responded to several reports of gunshots in the Honoli’i lookout area. Upon arrival, police noted evidence of a shooting and closed off Kahoa Street.

Around the same time, officers at Hilo Medical Center on an unrelated incident were notified that a shooting victim had arrived at the emergency room. The victim, a 31-year-old man, was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle following the shooting at the lookout.

The victim underwent surgery at HMC and was transferred to an Oahu hospital in guarded condition for further treatment.

On Feb. 8, HPD issued an alert seeking 29-year-old Scottie Yanagawa for questioning in the incident. He was listed as armed and dangerous

Yanagawa was killed by officers on Feb. 9 after he reportedly discharged a round from a handgun.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Detective Clarence Davies by calling 961-2383 or e-mailing [email protected], or Detective Todd Pataray by calling 961-2382 or e-mailing [email protected].

Those who prefer to remain anonymous should call the Big Island Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.