Honolulu police are investigating another burst of nighttime gunfire in Ewa Beach after a man fired a weapon in public around 11 p.m. Thursday and left in a dark-colored vehicle. No injuries or property damage were reported, and no arrests have been made as detectives work to identify the shooter.
What Happened Thursday Night
According to KITV, the Honolulu Police Department responded to a report of gunfire in Ewa Beach Thursday night, with the incident unfolding at approximately 11 p.m. Police say the man discharged the firearm in public before leaving the scene in the dark-colored vehicle. HPD has not released additional information about the incident, and the outlet reports it plans to provide future updates as the investigation develops.
Under Hawaii law, intentionally firing a gun in a way that recklessly places another person in danger of death or serious injury can constitute reckless endangering in the first degree, according to Justia Law. The statute requires proof that the firearm was intentionally fired in a manner endangering human life. A conviction on that charge is classified as a Class C felony in Hawaii, according to the same legal code.
A Pattern of Unsolved Gunfire in West Oahu
Thursday's incident is the latest in a string of gun-related cases to hit Ewa Beach this year. Just a week earlier, a 12-year-old boy was arrested near Fort Weaver Road after allegedly brandishing a handgun and threatening a 13-year-old girl's brother, a case Hoodline previously reported. In that incident, school staff recovered the firearm from the student's backpack after the girl's brother reported the threat, according to KITV 4 Island News.
In August, a 20-year-old man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his upper back after a late-night shooting near Geiger Community Park, Hawaii News Now reported.
Policing a Sprawling, Understaffed District
Ewa Beach is served by the Honolulu Police Department. Police union representatives cited by Honolulu Civil Beat have said patrol coverage has hovered around 70% of budgeted positions in recent years.
What Remains Unknown
For now, the identity of Thursday's shooter, the make of the dark-colored getaway vehicle, and the type of firearm used all remain unknown. It's also unclear whether ballistics from this case will be compared to other open gunfire investigations in District 8. Anyone with information about Thursday's shooting is encouraged to contact Honolulu police as the investigation continues.
