Posted on: Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Argument led to arrest in Ala Wai homicide

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A patrol officer responding to an argument between a man and his daughter's homeless boyfriend at Ulehawa Beach Park on Sunday led to the arrest of a homicide suspect.

In a police report filed yesterday in District Court, police officer Lance Vierra stated that Anibal Ortiz, 26, was identified by another officer as a possible suspect in the shooting death of Odin Ortiz, 37, who was killed early Saturday morning at Ala Wai Community Park.

Homicide Lt. Bill Kato said the suspect and victim are not related.

Anibal Ortiz is charged with second-degree murder. He was arraigned yesterday before District Judge Colette Garibaldi, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m. Ortiz is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Vierra's affidavit said he responded to the 8:05 a.m. argument at Ulehawa Beach Park, which is between Nanakuli and Lualualei. The argument centered on the father's disapproval of his daughter's relationship with Anibal Ortiz, who is homeless and unemployed, the report said.

While investigating the argument, Vierra learned that Ortiz frequents Ala Wai Community Park and he fit the description of the murder suspect.

Police said Anibal Ortiz had been identified by witnesses as the person who shot Odin Ortiz.