A youth football game at Keaukaha Field turned chaotic on Saturday when a fight among adults led to a 7-year-old girl being knocked down and suffering a serious concussion. Police reported that 31-year-old Tyler Anthony Ikaika Iopa from Mt. View was identified as the person whose backward step and elbow caused the injury.
Iopa had already left the scene before the police arrived but was later apprehended. After turning himself in on September 10, Iopa was held by detectives from the Juvenile Aid Section while they continued their investigation. It was discovered that the contact with the girl occurred as Iopa was trying to extricate himself from the altercation, the unintentional result of a hasty retreat, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The injured minor was quickly transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she received treatment and was later released. Iopa, after consultation with the County Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday afternoon, was released pending further investigation into the incident. The ultimate decision on charges will be made once the investigation is concluded and reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Hilo Police are actively seeking witnesses to the incident and have asked for anyone with information to come forward. Detective Clarence Acob of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section can be contacted at (808) 961-8839 or via email at [email protected].
