California visitor charged with attempted murder in Waikoloa stabbing
A 65-year-old California man is facing attempted murder and other charges in connection with an apparent stabbing Thursday evening within Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Richard Lopez, of San Pedro, California, was charged Saturday evening with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and abuse of a family or household member following the domestic-related incident reported to police at 9:17 p.m. Thursday.
Responding to a reported stabbing within one of the guest rooms at a lodging establishment in the 69-200 block of Waikoloa Beach Drive, South Kohala Patrol officers observed a female victim with numerous injuries, as well as Lopez who had also suffered visible injuries. The victim and Lopez were both transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital for medical treatment.
Later Thursday, Lopez was arrested for attempted murder. Upon his release from the hospital Friday morning, officers transported him to the Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation continued with detectives alleging Lopez stabbed the victim multiple times causing her to suffer life-threatening injuries.
She remained hospitalized Sunday.
Lopez remains in police custody in lieu of $300,000 pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday in Kona District Court.
