Honokaʻa man charged with shooting an arrow into a woman at Hāpuna Beach parking lot

Gimmy Palafox Ventura, 32 of Honoka’a, has been arrested and charged with second-degree assault for shooting an arrow into the arm of a woman while she was walking to her car on Sep. 6 at Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area on the Big Island.

Here is the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s account:

At approximately 7:30 p.m., South Kohala patrol officers met with a 31-year-old female who reported she had been shot. The victim told police she was at the Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area just after sunset when she began walking back to her vehicle parked at the northern end of the main parking lot. 

As she approached her vehicle, she heard what sounded like a gunshot in the immediate area. She then realized that she had suffered a large laceration and was bleeding from her left bicep.

She said she immediately left the area in her vehicle and summoned medical and police assistance.

Officers located her and her vehicle in the area of Kawaihae and Akulani Road and saw an arrow lodged within the driver’s side rear quarter panel of her vehicle. The length and type of arrow was determined to be consistent with arrows designed for use in crossbows.

The victim was treated for her injuries and later released.

Police identified Ventura as a person possibly responsible for the shooting.

The arrow that had been lodged in the victim’s vehicle was later removed, recovered and sent to the Honolulu Police Department Scientific Investigation Section for DNA analysis.  On Oct. 5, 2023, a DNA match with Ventura was returned from the shaft of the arrow. 

On Oct. 11,  detectives executed search warrants on Ventura’s residence and vehicle, a 2023 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, at the 4500 block of Ohia Street in Honoka’a. The search warrants resulted in the recovery of two arrows located in Ventura’s bedroom.  A crossbow, 6 additional arrows, numerous arrow tips and fletching were recovered from Ventura’s vehicle.

Ventura’s bail was set at $2,000. His initial court hearing was on Oct. 13 at Kona District Court.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Detective Cacique Melendez of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 281, or via email at Cacique.melendez@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00.