HPD Releases Puna Man in Connection With Shooting Incident

The Hawaiʻi Island Police Department said they have released a Puna man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred Sunday afternoon, pending further investigation.

Mahdi Hemmat. HPD Photo

On Sunday, Oct. 29, officers responded to a North Rd residence in Mt. View for a report of a man who had been shot. The 24-year-old victim, who lives at the residence, was found in the yard with a gunshot wound to his head.

A firearm was recovered at the scene and the victim was transported by ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center and later flown to Oʻahu in critical condition.

At 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, 28-year-old Mahdi Hemmat, who also resides at that address, was arrested at the scene and taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation that has been classified as a second-degree attempted murder.

This information was provided by the authorities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.