Posted on: Saturday, December 25, 2004

Victim of fatal stabbing was Waipahu man

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man who was stabbed to death Thursday in Waipahu has been identified as Ronelle Balon of Waipahu.

Balon, 26, died of a stab wound to the abdomen, the city medical examiner said.

Two brothers, ages 31 and 25, were arrested in connection with Balon's death. The older man was booked on one count of second-degree murder and the younger man was arrested in connection with first-degree hindering prosecution.

Both men were being held yesterday pending charges.

Police said Balon and the two other men worked at a landscaping business in Waipahu. Shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, the three were playing cards and got into an argument.

The men began to scuffle when one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed Balon, police said. The assailants then got into a car and fled.

Balon was taken to St. Francis Medical Center-West, where he was pronounced dead.

About two hours after the incident, police said the two men turned themselves in at the Kalihi substation.

Meanwhile, police yesterday continued to search for clues in the shooting death Wednesday night of Robert E. Lee. Lee, 71, was shot in the garage of his Makiki apartment building.

Police said they have no witnesses or suspects.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.