Man Wanted for Questioning in Puna Shooting Incident Turns Himself In

A Puna man wanted for questioning in connection to a shooting incident in Ainaloa has turned himself in.

Forty-five-year-old Shawn Lee Galigo is facing charges of first-degree terroristic threatening, and two counts of ownership/possession (firearm/ammunition) prohibited after reportedly getting into a “violent” dispute with his neighbor on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Hawai‘i Police Departmentʻs Puna patrol responded to the incident shortly before 3 p.m. on Maile Way in the Ainaloa subdivision.

Responding officers learned that Galigo and a male neighbor had been involved in a verbal dispute fronting Galigo’s residence when the 45-year-old reportedly brandished a pistol and fired it, police stated. There were no reported injuries.

After a brief search in the area for Galigo, the department’s Special Response Team responded to assist in searching the residence. It was later determined that Galigo was not within the residence and it was believed he left the area on foot prior to police arrival.

Out of an abundance of caution, several residents on Maile Way were evacuated until police were able to render the area safe.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to assist in this felony investigation. On Thursday night, shortly before 11 p.m., detectives served a warrant on the residence and recovered a rifle and ammunition.

Galigo turned himself in at the Hilo Police Station on Friday, Sept. 10, shortly after 8 p.m. His bail is set at $30,000. Galigo was also arrested and charged on two outstanding warrants with a total bail of $1,150.

Galigo remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13, in Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or Detective Casey Cabral at 808-961-2381 or casey.cabral@hawaiicounty.gov.