Man critical after being shot in face
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
PEARL CITY — A 27-year-old man remained in critical condition today after being shot in the face and police had a man in custody.
A 43-year-old man was arrested shortly after today's 11:48 a.m. shooting, which took place at 1840 Komo Mai Drive fronting The Children's House, a preschool through sixth grade private school. The man who was arrested may face charges for attempted murder.
The shooting occurred just as parishioners of the Leeward Community Church next door to the school were leaving Sunday service, police said.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the left eye.
Pearl City police say the victim was driving in a white Chevrolet S-10 pickup along Komo Mai Drive heading towards Pacific Palisades when he pulled the truck over to talk to the suspect, who was travelling on foot.
"Basically, the male in the vehicle confronted the male that was walking . . . and an argument ensued," said Honolulu police Det. Michael Rodriguez.
Witnesses told police that the man fired several times at the driver, with one of the bullets hitting him in the eye. The victim tried to drive off, but crashed his vehicle into some bushes 100 feet away on the side of the road.
Rodriguez said the two men apparently knew each other.
Within minutes, police arrested a man who was walking about a half-mile away along Komo Mai Drive and carrying a .22-caliber revolver. He was taken to the Pearl City police station and transferred to the main police station late this afternoon.
Domingo Los Banos, who is the founder of The Children's House and lives on the school campus, said the stretch of Komo Mai Drive has been the scene of some shootings and bad accidents in recent years.
In 1998, police shut had to evacuate teachers and children from the school during a 22-hour standoff in which a gunman fired shots at nearby police officers.
"I don't understand why these things happen here," Los Banos said. "This is really a nice, quiet neighborhood."
Reach Scott Ishikawa at 535 2429 or at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.
