Police: Two Men Arrested in ‘Drive-By’ Paintball Incidents in Kona

Two Big Island men were arrested in connection with “drive-by” paintball shootings in Kona.

Officers with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Patrol arrested and charged 18-year old Cyan Batha of Waimea for two counts of third-degree assault. Another man, 27-year old Sailus Gamsey of Kailua-Kona, was also arrested but was released pending further investigation.

At 12:38 a.m. Thursday, Kona Patrol officers were assigned to a report of two unidentified males in a dark-colored truck shooting paintballs at random people on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona. Officers contacted two separate victims who had visible injuries consistent with being shot by a paintball.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle, being driven by Gamsey, and subsequently arrested the two men.

Anyone with information about this incident or who might have witnessed it is encouraged to call the police department’s nonemergency line at 808-935-3311 or contact Sgt. Erich Jackson at 808-326-4646, ext. 253, or via email at Erich.Jackson@Hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.