Leilani Estates man charged in shooting incident

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police have charged a Pahoa man in connection with Tuesday afternoon’s shooting incident Tuesday in the lower Puna area.

At 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police charged 61-year-old John Hubbard, of Puna, with two counts first-degree reckless endangering, five counts first-degree terroristic threatening, one count first-degree robbery, ownership of a firearm when prohibited, place to keep-pistol, failure to register a firearm, failure to obtain a gun permit and use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Hubbard remains in police custody in lieu of $222,000 bail, pending his initial appearance scheduled for this afternoon in South Hilo District Court.

The charges stem from a 12:21 p.m. incident in which police responded to a report of gunshots near the intersection of Kahukai and Makamae streets in the Leilani Estates subdivision, according to police.

The victim, a 32-year-old man from Leilani Estates, told police that he and several acquaintances were surveying the area of his former residence that had since been taken by lava when they were approached by a man in a pickup truck, according to police.

The suspect allegedly assaulted, then pointed a firearm at the victim and his group, demanding that they immediately leave the area. During the argument, the suspect fired several gunshots from a handgun, according to police.

A 21-year-old Pahoa woman with the group told police that the suspect pointed the handgun at her and demanded her cell phone. After the woman dropped her phone, the suspect threw the phone in the brush.

No one was physically injured by gunfire, but the 32-year-old victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries stemming from the assault.

Hubbard, also of Leilani Estates, was arrested near the scene without incident. He was taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Kayne Kelii of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2378 or Kayne.Kelii@hawaiicounty.gov.