Two Pāʻauilo men arrested following an attempted murder

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged Kawika Souza, 44, and Gary Dias-Souza, 60, in connection with an attempted murder investigation stemming from a shooting in the Hāmākua district last week.

South Kohala patrol officers responded to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital after a 37-year-old man sought treatment for a gunshot wound to the head at 11:51 a.m. Friday, July 11. He reported that he had been shot the previous evening at 9 p.m. July 10 while on a property in Paʻauilo.

Detectives assumed the investigation and subsequently executed search warrants related to the incident. During the investigation, detectives recovered a loaded .22-caliber firearm, unspent .22-caliber ammunition, several spent .22-caliber shell casings, and additional evidence.

Detectives arrested Souza without incident on Sunday, July 12, and on the following day, arrested Dias-Souza without incident on Monday, July 13.

After conferring with the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Souza was charged with second-degree attempted murder, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and two counts of ownership, possession, or control of a firearm and ammunition prohibited.

Souza’s total bail was set at $1,640,000.

After conferring with prosecutors, Dias-Souza was charged with criminal solicitation. His total bail was set at $100,000.

They are both scheduled to make their initial court appearances on Tuesday, July 14, in Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Jayce Carvalho of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2378 or by email at jayce.carvalho@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.