Kona man indicted in Leap Day stabbing

A 56-year-old Kona man has been indicted on attempted murder and other charges stemming from a reported stabbing Feb. 29 in Kailua Village.

On Monday, a Kona grand jury indicted Chad Barry Barnes on charges of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault and second-degree terroristic threatening in connection with the stabbing of a 25-year-old man reported shortly before 9 p.m. at Chillin’ on the Bay on Alii Drive.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, the victim and Barnes had no relation or interaction prior to the incident.

“The victim while sitting down was approached and stabbed by the suspect on the right side of his body for no apparent reason, as the victim did not know the suspect, nor did they previously have an interaction and appeared to be a random act,” Area II Assistant Chief Robert Wagner said via email.

Once officers took Barnes into custody, two other victims came forward to report additional crimes. One alleged that Barnes brandished a knife outside of a vehicle and threatened to stab another person. The other stated Barnes threatened to burn down an establishment.

Police charged Barnes with attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and second-degree terroristic threatening. Bail was set at $10,000 pending an initial appearance on March 2. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing the following day and the case was remanded to Circuit Court for further proceedings.

The indictment, which included the attempted murder charge, supersedes the complaint. If proven guilty, attempted second-degree murder is punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.