Puna shooter charged

Hawaii Island police have charged 49-year-old Rodney E. Wilbur Sr., in connection with the shooting incident in Puna on (July 30).

Police charged Wilbur with second degree attempted murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, ownership (of a firearm) prohibited and permit to acquire a firearm this afternoon. He remains in police custody in lieu of $275,000 bail pending his initial court appearance in South Hilo District Court scheduled Wednesday.

At 6:21 p.m. Sunday evening, police responded to an affray with gunshots fired at Isaac Hale Beach Park in Pohoiki, located in lower Puna.

Investigators determined that there was a confrontation between two groups of people during which multiple gunshots were fired, injuring three Puna men. The three were transported by medics to the Hilo Medical Center. One victim, a 35-year-old man from Pahoa, was later taken to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu where he remains in critical condition. The two other victims, a 25-year-old and a 27-year-old, both men from Mountain View, remain in stable condition. There has been no change in any of these victims’ condition.

Witnesses identified Rodney Wilbur Sr., of Mountain View, as the shooter responsible for the 35-year-old victim’s injuries. Wilbur was arrested a short time later after leaving the scene.

Investigators are asking for anyone who may have any video recording taken relative to the shooting incident, to contact investigators.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, is in possession of video recording of the incident or have any other information about the shooting is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Scott Amaral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or Scott.Amaral@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.