A man has been taken into custody following a deadly altercation in West Oahu on Tuesday morning. The Honolulu Police Department reported that Rastan Jaitano Hekah Brown-Castro, age 25, has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder after allegedly shooting 31-year-old Cheylo Chong Kim multiple times at the Waianae Boat Harbor. The incident, which took place around 11 a.m., escalated from an argument between the two men, who reportedly had a history of disputes.

According to Hawaii News Now, Brown-Castro fled the crime scene but was apprehended by the police near the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, approximately two miles from the boat harbor. After crashing his vehicle, he attempted to escape on foot but was captured on a nearby beach. In a press briefing, Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes shared, "Witnesses reported that the 31-year-oldictim and the suspect had an ongoing dispute. The argument escalated today and that’s when the suspect shot the victim multiple times."

The repercussions of the shooting rippled through the community, with Waianae Intermediate School enforcing a "soft" lockdown as a safety precaution while the police activity unfolded. The lockdown, as outlined in a statement obtained by The Star-Advertiser, kept students and staff indoors and was lifted later at 11:55 a.m. The school’s swift response underscored the tension and fear that such acts of violence cast over a community.

In the aftermath of the tragic event, state lawmakers have issued a call for peace. State Rep. Cedric Asuega Gates and state Sen. Cross Makani Crabbe jointly condemned the shooting, stating, "The residents of 96792 are devastated by this news and condemn all acts of violence on the Leeward Coast." The statement, which made clear the incident's separation from the Puuhonua o Waianae community, emphasized the necessity for community and unity to address issues of violence. "We must continue to do better as a community – we need to come together to lead by example of what it means to show peace and unity. Violence is never the answer," the lawmakers added. Their sentiments, highlighting the collective grief of the locality, were drawn from a statement released in the midst of a community grappling with loss and striving for harmony, as reported by The Star-Advertiser.

As the investigation continues, the Honolulu Police Department is engaging witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together the moments leading to the fatal confrontation. Detectives are probing in earnest to understand the contentious narrative interwoven between the two men. EMS technicians who responded declared the victim dead on-site, a somber fact that marks the gravity of the incident. Community members and anyone with information about the shooting are encouraged to reach out to authorities or call CrimeStoppers, as the Honolulu Police Department works to uncover the contentious thread that led to this fatal outcome.