Early morning shooting in Hilo leaves man dead

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating after an early morning shooting in Hilo left a man dead.

Shortly after 5 a.m. on Wednesday, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Maunakai Street in Hilo after receiving a report of a man being shot.

Responding officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel found the man, who appeared lifeless, on the roadway fronting the residence with a gunshot wound to the torso, according to a Hawai‘i Island press release this afternoon.

Paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, however, they were unsuccessful.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation, which is classified as second-degree murder.

The victim was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:39 a.m.

Police are withholding the victim’s identity pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone who may have been in the area on Maunakai Street shortly before 5 a.m. on Wednesday, or who may have information about this incident to contact Detective Amy Omaya with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2381 or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.