KAILUA-KONA Authorities are seeking possible witnesses to a shooting last week in the area of of Wainaia Gulch in North Kohala.
KAILUA-KONA — Authorities are seeking possible witnesses to a shooting last week in the area of of Wainaia Gulch in North Kohala.
On the morning of March 27, Hawaii Police initially responded to the scene outside of Kapaau Town after receiving a report of a person who appeared in distress. Upon arrival, officers found a 37-year-old man and heard a single gunshot from an known location, which struck the victim.
An officer transported the man to North Hawaii Community Hospital. The victim was later taken in serious condition to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.
Police are looking for a light gold or beige four-door sedan. Officials say it was parked on the makai shoulder facing Kapaau Town and a male party was near or outside of it. Investigators are asking those who may have been in the area or who may have driven by to contact police.
Akoni Pule Highway, also known as Route 270, was shut down for several hours March 27 as police responded to search for a shooting suspect a. Kohala Middle School was also placed on lockdown.
The shooting in the gulch occurred one week after two officer-involved shootings with wanted man Walter Gomes III, who police shot at on March 21 at the Minit Stop and Ohana Fuels and Old Camp 17 Road.
Police began searching for Gomes after a woman showed up at Kona Community Hospital with a gunshot wound to the face on March 20. The 41-year-old was found Sunday in Captain Cook and was charged Tuesday with 19 counts relating to the instigating incident and ensuing events.
Police are investigating the case but have said they don’t believe the two incidents are connected.
Police ask those who may have witnessed the shooting incident in Wainaia Gulch or who may have information to contact Detective Donovan Kohara directly at (808) 960-3118 or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
