Slaying shocks South Kona neighborhood

HONAUNAU — Police identified the man who was fatally shot after an altercation in South Kona Sunday, and said two other parties involved in the reported murder and attempted murder are in custody.

Thomas Ballesteros Jr., 42, died of a gunshot wound he suffered around 3 p.m. on Painted Church Road in South Kona, the Hawaii Police Department said.

An autopsy will be conducted this week to determine the exact cause of death.

Two other males were injured in the incident, police said, including the possible suspect, and had left the scene prior to officers’ arrival. Both males have since been located and identified and are currently being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. The suspect was described as being in his late 40s.

Neighbors on the winding, picturesque road were shocked that a shooting took place in the otherwise quiet, agricultural area.

“It’s kind of spooky,” said one woman who lives near the scene but due to the sensitivity of the situation, didn’t want her name used. “It’s not normal for here at all.”

The woman said she was outside tending to her chickens when she heard the gunshots, one after another.

She thought it was neighbors shooting roosters but then she heard voices yelling and fighting, which also wasn’t uncommon from the neighboring plot. The neighborhood is largely agricultural, and the small farms use work trade programs where transient populations move in and work for a short time before leaving. The nature of the system means many neighbors are coming and going, so names aren’t always known.

She said she went to the end of her driveway and saw three people in the street, one of whom was sitting down.

“A guy came by and said, ‘I think they’re fighting, call 911,’” she said, which she did, as people tried to make sense of the commotion. “I think everyone was trying to help.”

A short time later, another person said a male at the scene in a white truck had a gun — at which point, the woman called 911 again to update police with news of the weapon.

The woman, who has lived in the area for six years, also saw the suspect speed away on a motorcycle she recognized from the neighborhood, by look and sound.

“It’s overwhelming,” she said.

Ballesteros had no permanent address, according to police, who continue to investigate. On Sunday, police spray-paint dotted the street, circling evidence such as blood splatters, mangoes and where one car had parked.

Another neighbor, who also didn’t want her name used, said she was outside weed-whacking when she heard multiple shots in a row.

It was quiet for three or four minutes after, she said, but then she heard screams. She said she knew it was a dispute of some sort but she didn’t want to get involved in it so she put her earphones back on and continued her chores.

“I pretty much keep to myself,” she said. She’s been a resident of the area about five years.

A short time later, she saw the news on her Facebook feed and fully realized what had transpired.

“It was weird for me to hear it at the moment and not realize it at the time,” she said. “Maybe I should have shown more concern.”

“It’s definitely not normal,” she added. “It’s too close for my comfort level.”

It’s not exactly clear what prompted the altercation. The possible suspect had not yet been arrested as of Sunday.

On Sunday, police closed off the area again for a couple hours.

Terry Browne, a resident of the area for 20 years, said nothing like that has happened in her neighborhood as long as she’s been there. She was at home and saw police race by her house at what seemed like 50 mph, she said, but she didn’t hear anything after that. It was later, when a tenant of hers called her and told her why the road was closed, that she realized the gravity of the situation.

“I said, ‘Gee, I better lock my door,” Browne said.

Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation, which is currently classified as a murder and attempted murder.

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Carrie Akina at 326-4646 or carrie.akina@hawaiicounty.gov.