KAILUA-KONA — A woman who was on probation for shooting a man in Holualoa and for allegedly threatening three teenagers Sunday night at the Kamehameha III Road overlook is in police custody.
Police said Randi-Keli Banagan, 24, of Captain Cook, got out of a silver or gray van and pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at two 17-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy.
“A second suspect, whose face was concealed, was holding what was described as a rifle and spoke in what sounded like a male voice, before the suspects fled without further incident,” police said in a press release.
Police issued a bulletin asking for the public’s help locating Banagan Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning, police said they had arrested Banagan of Captain Cook Monday afternoon in Kailua-Kona on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and first-degree reckless endangering. She is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.
Banagan is on probation for a shooting on Waiono Meadows Road on March 29, 2014, that left a bullet lodged near the victim’s heart. The victim said during a preliminary hearing that he recognized Banagan and had a heated exchange with her before she shot him.
“She looked at me,” the victim said during the 2014 court hearing. “We had previous problems before. She does not like me. She reached in the middle (of the car) and grabbed a gun.”
That case proceeded at the same time as one for stealing a vehicle.
The defense twice entered a request for an order to suspend proceedings while Banagan underwent a mental evaluation. The state opposed neither motion. She was found fit and pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, which was reduced from the original attempted murder charge, illegal place to keep a loaded firearm and promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree. The remaining 27 counts were dismissed with prejudice.
Judge Elizabeth Strance ordered a sentence of 18 months in prison, along with five years of probation.
However, she included the option that Banagan could get out of prison if she entered a facility that treats substance abuse and addresses mental health. She was also ordered to complete anger management and substance abuse treatment.
In a Aug. 17 hearing defense counsel Dean Kauka said they had been waiting for a treatment facility to have space. However, that did not occur before the 18 months were up, according to court documents, and she was placed on probation on Sept. 18.
On Dec. 24, the prosecution filed for a warrant to arrest her on a revocation of probation. She was arrested on Jan. 5 and posted a $5,000 cash bond, according to court records.
In a Feb. 19 hearing, Banagan admitted to using meth in violation of her probation. Judge Melvin Fujino chose not to set a higher bond at that point. According to court documents that was because Banagan had been attending her court dates. He set a hearing, moved to Thursday, with the statement that, if she tested positive, she was going to prison.
The case was originally before the now-retired Strance, then Judge Ronald Ibarra and finally Fujino.
Police ask anyone with information on Banagan’s whereabouts to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective David Matsushima at 326-4646, ext. 228, or david.matshshima@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Banagan is in police custody.