A Christmas morning confrontation in Leilani Estates ended without physical injuries despite two shotgun blasts and an intentional auto collision, according to court document filed by police.
The man who allegedly fired the shots, however, 33-year-old Sione Koula Sipinga of Pahoa, is facing an attempted murder charge and several firearms-related offenses, stemming from the incident.
The victim, described by police as a 59-year-old man, called 911 reporting shortly before 7:30 a.m. Christmas Day that he’d been shot at by an acquaintance while driving, and then again after a collision involving the victim and suspect’s vehicles. According to court documents, the victim intentionally rammed the alleged shooter’s car in an attempt to prevent another shotgun blast. There were no reported injuries.
Responding officers contacted the victim, who immediately identified Sipinga as the suspect.
Sipinga left the area prior to police arrival, documents state, but was arrested in Leilani Estates on Wednesday, police said.
On Thursday, Sipinga was charged with second-degree attempted murder, being a felon in possession of firearm, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public roadway, and first-degree reckless endangering.
At Sipinga’s initial appearance Friday in Hilo District Court, Judge Kanani Laubach maintained Sipinga’s bail at $175,000 and ordered him to appear Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
He remained in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com
