Suspect in shooting incident charged for vehicle theft

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Police are investigating a shooting incident involving a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ranger at Manuka State Park.

At about 1:15 p.m. Friday, Ka‘u patrol officers responded to a reported shooting involving a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park law enforcement ranger.

According to a National Park Service statement, the incident began in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcano National Park in Ka‘u and continued outside of the park when the driver fled.

The ranger, a 30-year-old man, attempted to stop a stolen vehicle at Manuka State Park. At some point the ranger opened fire on the vehicle and the vehicle fled the area. The ranger was unharmed.

Friday evening, the suspect, 39-year-old David Gouveia of Kailua-Kona, was arrested in Kona.

Gouveia was treated and released from Kona Community Hospital after sustaining minor injuries from a bullet that struck his hand and grazed his neck during the encounter with the ranger.

He was charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and his bail was set at $2,000.

He was released pending further investigation for second-degree attempted murder.

The shooting incident occurred outside of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hawaii Police Department detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to call Detective Dominic Uyetake at 326-4646, ext. 228.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.