Ocean View man arrested, later released after allegedly shooting woman reportedly trying to break into his home

An Ocean View man was arrested for attempted murder and later released pending further investigation earlier this week after allegedly shooting a woman in the head, leaving her in critical condition, when she reportedly tried to break into his residence while he was home.

Gordon McCormick was taken into custody Monday (June 30) on the charge of second-degree attempted murder because of the severity of the woman’s injuries. Police also later determined McCormick had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a 2023 criminal property damage case.

He was released Tuesday evening (July 1), pending further investigation into the reported home burglary case. The 68-year-old was also released on his own recognizance in connection with his outstanding warrant.

The injured 42-year-old Captain Cook woman remained in critical condition as of Wednesday evening (July 2) at Kona Community Hospital, continuing to receive lifesaving treatment.

Ka‘ū patrol officers responded at about 4 p.m. Monday to a residence in the 92-2500 block of Hukilau Drive in Ocean View after the homeowner — later identified as McCormick — reported he just confronted two people on his property.

When they arrived, officers discovered an unresponsive woman — later identified as the 42-year-old Captain Cook woman — lying on the ground in front of the residence with severe head injuries from a gunshot wound.

Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to the scene, provided lifesaving measures and transported her to Kona Community Hospital.

McCormick — who was at the residence and who officers later determined to be the homeowner — told police that the woman attempted to break into his residence while he was home.

He said she arrived in a red Ford pickup driven by an unidentified man.

Detectives from Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section also responded and continued the investigation.

Their preliminary investigation determined that the injured woman might have been involved in multiple thefts reported June 28-29 on McCormick’s property.

Video surveillance from 2 p.m. June 29 shows a woman arriving on the property in a red and brown 2-door Ford pickup, possibly a late 1990s or early 2000s model, with a full lumber rack and unidentified decals on the driver’s side cab window.

No video footage is available for the earlier incidents.

McCormick gave officers permission to search his home during their investigation. Police recovered a loaded air rifle containing a single pellet.

Police are asking the public for help with identifying the red pickup seen at McCormick’s home and the driver, described only as a white man in his early to mid 40s.

Anyone with information about the incident, suspects or vehicle is asked to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at 808-960-3118 or via email at donovankohara@hawaiicounty.gov.

They can also call Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

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