California Man Charged With Attempted Murder in Connection With Waikōloa Stabbing Incident

A visitor from the mainland is being charged in connection with a stabbing incident last week at a Waikōloa resort.

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced Wednesday, Sept. 7, that 65-year-old Richard Lopez of California faces several charges, including attempted murder, stemming from a Sept. 1 incident at the Waikōloa Beach Marriot Resort.

Lopez is alleged to have stabbed and slashed his 64-year-old girlfriend numerous times to her face and neck.

The California man is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and abuse of a family or household member. Second-degree attempted murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have also provided notice of an intention to seek a mandatory prison term in accordance with statutory sentencing guidelines in relation to imprisonment for offenses against the elderly.

Lopez made his initial appearance Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, in Kona District Court. The Court maintained his bail at $300,000 and ordered him to return Sept. 15 for a preliminary hearing.

The investigation was initiated by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Kohala Patrol and the felony investigation was handled by detectives Scott A. Dewey and Brandon Mansur with HPD’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section and members of the police department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section. The case is being prosecuted by deputy county prosecuting attorneys Kaua Jackson and Kate Perazich.