Victim in Puna shooting was set to change pleas in felony cases
A 39-year-old Hawaiian Acres man who died Christmas Eve after being shot in his driveway on Saturday was set to change his pleas next month in a pair of felony court cases.
According to court records, Dingie Anthony Dean Martin of Mountain View was scheduled to enter either guilty or no contest pleas on Jan. 30 before Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamura to driving a stolen vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm on a public roadway, illegal storage of a loaded firearm and being an accused felon in possession of a firearm.
Court records indicate Martin wasn’t a convicted felon, but the stolen auto case was from 2020, and he was ordered by the court to not own or possess any firearms.
He was free on bail when he was shot.
Police who responded to Martin’s house in the 16-1600 block of Koloa Maoli Road (Road 9) in the upper Puna subdivision were reportedly told by people visiting that a vehicle drove partially up the driveway. Martin went to see who was there and was shot, police said.
Martin, who was found lying on the driveway being tended to by several acquaintances, police said.
He was taken to Hilo Medical Center by ambulance, where he was originally listed in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Police haven’t yet identified a suspect or motive, nor have they released a description of the vehicle that the shooter drove up in.
It’s also not known whether the shooting was connected to the criminal charges Martin was facing.
A statement by police said they are conducting interviews and searching for leads.
The investigation is now classified as a second-degree murder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective David Poohina of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2385 or David.Poohina@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
