Man charged in exchange of shots with Maui officer

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU — A Kihei man was charged yesterday with two counts of first-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a group of off-duty Maui police officers in a park last week.

Ernest Chavira Jr., 27, also was charged with two firearms charges during his initial appearance in Wailuku District Court. Bail was set at $530,000. He was arrested at his home after the shooting at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the main pavilion in Kalama Park in Kihei.

A 21-year-old man from Pico Rivera, Calif., who was with Chavira during the shooting and also was arrested at the suspect's home, has been released, said Maui Police Lt. Glenn Cuomo.

Cuomo said investigators also recovered a .44-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver believed to have been used in the shooting.

The charge of first-degree attempted murder carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. It can be filed if a suspect attempts to kill a law enforcement officer or if the suspect attempts to kill more than one person.

Cuomo said investigators believe Chavira knew there were police officers in the group.

The officers were celebrating the transfer of a colleague with friends at a barbecue when the two suspects walked through the pavilion and taunted the group, police said.

The two men walked away but returned a few minutes later, and Chavira allegedly fired one shot toward the group. When the officers gave chase, the gunman turned and fired another shot at the group, hitting a parked vehicle belonging to one of the off-duty officers.

An officer returned fire but missed the gunman, police said.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.