Puna man accused of attempted murder following shooting on Christmas Day in Leilani Estates

This story was updated with new information on Jan. 6, 2023.

A Puna man was charged with attempted murder following a shooting that took place on Christmas Day in the Leilani Estates Subdivision.

Along with second-degree attempted murder, 33-year-old Sione Sipinga was charged with carrying or use of a
firearm in the commission of a separate felony, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway, first-degree reckless endangering and ownership or possession prohibited.

The charges against Sipinga stem from an incident reported shortly before 7:30 a.m. Christmas morning, when Puna patrol officers responded to Leilani Avenue for a report of an altercation involving gun shots being fired.

The 59-year-old male victim called Police Dispatch reporting that he had been shot at by an acquaintance while driving, and then again after a collision involving the victim and suspect’s vehicles. There were no reported injuries at that time.

Responding officers contacted the victim, who immediately identified Sipinga as the suspect. Sipinga left the area prior to police arrival.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives responded to the scene to continue this investigation.

Police canvassed the Leilani Estates subdivision area attempting to locate Sipinga and his vehicle. The vehicle was later located at Sipinga’s neighbor’s residence and recovered as evidence. The victim’s vehicle was also recovered.

Sipinga remained at large until his arrest in Leilani Estates on Jan. 4, 2023, at 10:30 p.m. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Jan. 6.

The second-degree attempted murder charge carries a sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Sipinga is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on this afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $175,100 bail.