Police have arrested and charged 41-year-old Stanton Anson Joaquin of Mountain View with various domestic-related offenses following a violent incident at a residence on Kaniela Road early Wednesday morning.
Shortly before 1 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to the home for a reported domestic dispute.
Upon arrival, officers determined that during an argument, Joaquin allegedly struck his wife twice in the face with a closed-fist punch and threatened to burn the house down while lighting a propane blow torch. The incident was witnessed by the couple’s two children, ages 10 and 15.
Joaquin then reportedly struck his 21-year-old son on the head with the blowtorch, causing a skull fracture and partial paralysis to the left side of his body.
Due to the seriousness of his injuries, the son was transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he remains hospitalized in stable condition.
After conferring with the county prosecutor’s office, detectives charged Joaquin with first-degree assault, abuse of a family household member (in the presence of a minor), first-degree terroristic threatening, and abuse of a family household member.
Joaquin’s bail was set at $22,000, which he posted, and he scheduled to appear in Hilo District Court on April 16.