Puna Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in 2019 Mountain View Shooting

A Puna Man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in relation to a 2019 shooting in Mountain View.

Thirty-nine-year-old Ryan Davis appeared in Hilo Circuit Court on Monday, May 9, where he entered his plea. He also pleaded guilty to the charge of carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 4.

Davis has been in custody in lieu of $310,000 throughout the duration of these criminal proceedings following the shooting on March 18, 2019. According to Hawai‘i police, Davis was arrested after Puna patrol officers discovered a man lying on a driveway at a home in Fern Acres subdivision with gunshot wounds.

The medical examiner determined that the victim, later identified as Joshua John Santos, died from gunshot wounds to the chest.

Manslaughter and carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony are both class A felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of a 20-year prison term.

Court documentation indicates that in accordance with the agreement, Davis has agreed to serve a 20-year prison. The agreement also indicates that Davis serve a mandatory minimum term of five years without the possibility of parole.