Teen shooting suspect had 'ice,' police say

By Allison Schaefers
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 17-year-old boy accused of shooting a Punchbowl man during a burglary Thursday had crystal methamphetamine on him when he was arrested less than an hour later, police said yesterday.

Miti Maugaotega Jr. had "more than a user quantity of ice" and an ice pipe when he was arrested in a stream near Hawai'i Baptist Academy in Nu'uanu, Honolulu Police Capt. Carlton Nishimura said.

Nishimura said Maugaotega told police he had smoked marijuana just before entering the Puowaina Drive home of 43-year-old Eric Kawamoto, who was shot once in the chest.

Police also are considering Maugaotega as a possible suspect in other drug and burglary cases occurring within the past month, Nishimura said.

Maugaotega's lawyer could not be reached for comment yesterday, but his sister Darlene Maugaotega said family members were shocked by the shooting and reports that he was found with ice.

The 19-year-old sister said she didn't know that her brother was involved with drugs, but that may explain the charges that he broke into a home and shot Kawamoto.

"That was not my brother," she said. "It had to be the drugs."

The sister said she and her family apologize to Kawamoto, but she said she realizes "that won't take the scar away."

According to police, Miti Maugaotega shot Kawamoto when he interrupted the burglary. Kawamoto remains at The Queen's Medical Center.

The brazen daylight shooting has been cited by Honolulu police and prosecutors as an example of escalating property crimes on O'ahu. They are calling for tougher sentences for repeat offenders.

City prosecutors are asking that Miti Maugaotega be treated as an adult. He is scheduled to appear today before Family Court Judge Frances Wong, who will set a hearing for the prosecutor's request.

The Waipahu teenager has been charged with attempted murder, burglary, robbery, three firearm offenses, one count of possessing a dangerous drug in the third degree and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia, Honolulu police Detective Alex Garcia said.

If convicted of those charges as an adult, Miti Maugaotega would face a life sentence with parole.

Police yesterday said they don't have any evidence to suggest that the teenager had an accomplice.

"It's very possible, but there are no other leads at this time," Garcia said.

Darlene Maugaotega described her brother as a quiet teen, well-liked by family members, especially by his younger nieces and nephews.

"He's a real family person," the sister said. "All his nieces and nephews love him and they've been missing him since he's been gone."

But the teenager is no stranger to Hale Ho'omalu, the juvenile facility on Alder Street where he has been held since his arrest, Elisapeta Maposua said of her brother's son.

Miti Maugaotega was court-ordered to go to American Samoa at age 16 for two years because of his juvenile criminal record, Darlene Maugaotega said.

However he inexplicably returned to Hawai'i, his sister said.

In the past, his sister said, some of Miti Maugaotega's friends had gotten him involved in criminal activities, but the shooting was out of character for him.

"I think he panicked. He probably got scared," his sister said.

She said her brother told a relative that Kawamoto wouldn't leave him alone.

"Miti said, 'The man said shoot me if you are going to,' " his sister said.

Police still don't know where Miti Maugaotega got the .45-caliber gun that he is alleged to have used during the crime, Garcia said. Police found a gun on the grounds of Hawai'i Baptist Academy.

Family members said Miti Maugaotega told them he had gotten the gun from a friend, his sister said.

Advertiser staff writer Rod Ohira contributed to this report.