Hawaii Island police received numerous calls Tuesday night reporting what sounded like gunfire at various locations in Keauhou.
Upon receiving the initial 8:41 p.m. call, Kona Patrol officers responded to the vicinity. Shortly before 9 p.m., they located a pickup truck on a dirt road off Kaleiopapa Drive and made contact with three men inside. While speaking to the occupants, officers observed a rifle, which was not loaded, inside the truck, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The three Kailua-Kona men, 26-year-old Jeffrey Horton, 24-year-old Matthew Canter and 20-year-old Armando Mejia, were arrested on suspicion of place to keep an unloaded firearm. Horton was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The three men were taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives continued the investigation. The firearm and truck were recovered as evidence.
After conferring with prosecutors, police released the three men Wednesday morning pending further investigation.
Police did not receive any reports of injuries or property damage in connection with this incident.
Anyone with any information about this case should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Shawn Tingle at 326-4646, ext. 277, or stingle@co.hawaii.hi.us.
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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.