What was supposed to be a quick trip to Target in Kahului turned violent last Friday evening when a man was attacked with an aluminum baseball bat while leaving the store. He suffered head injuries and serious damage to his hands that will require surgery, according to his girlfriend. The assault happened as the man, his girlfriend, their five-year-old child, and other shoppers were exiting the store. Maui police arrested 32-year-old Gabriel Pangkee, who has a history of prior convictions, and he is scheduled to return to court later this month, according to Hawaii News Now.
Arrest and charges
Maui police took Pangkee into custody on suspicion of multiple offenses, booking him on three counts of assault, as well as criminal property damage and habitual property crime, according to Hawaii News Now. The outlet reports that his next court date is set for Jan. 13. Court documents cited by the station list nine prior convictions, including a 2018 felony burglary and older probationary terms. Officials said investigators identified Pangkee after canvassing the Kahului Target parking lot and reviewing records tied to the case.
Witnesses describe a sudden assault
The victim's girlfriend, Kiana Bascon, told reporters that a shirtless stranger confronted the trio in the parking lot, started yelling and then pulled out a bat before attacking her partner, according to WRDW. An anonymous bystander recalled seeing "six or eight" powerful blows with a white metal bat land in rapid succession before the attacker took off. Bascon said she bolted for her car to get her daughter out of danger and is now pressing the store to improve safety measures in the parking lot.
Serious injuries and mounting bills
The man suffered head trauma and what Bascon described as "major damage" to his hands from trying to block the bat swings; he reportedly needs specialized surgery off-island but does not have health insurance, Hawaii News Now reports. Bascon said they are now deeply worried about how they will cover hospital and recovery costs while he is unable to work. Local advocates note that when catastrophic injuries occur on island, patients often face the added burden of traveling to Oahu for specialized care, stacking travel stress on top of medical debt.
Target statement and calls for accountability
Bascon is publicly urging Target to "take responsibility" for what happened on its property and to boost security so other shoppers are not put in the same position, according to WRDW. A Target spokesperson said the safety of guests and team members is a top priority, thanked employees who rushed to help at the scene and added that the company is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. The statement did not include any promise to cover the victim's medical expenses.
What's next
Pangkee is scheduled to appear before a judge on Jan. 13, when prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges ahead of the hearing. Maui police are still investigating the incident and have not released any additional details about a possible motive.
