Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section, Area I
Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 20-064610
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged 26-year-old Dwayne “CJ” Cory Wallace Jr. of Puna, with second-degree murder and various firearm and drug offenses.
On Saturday night at 9:50 p.m. (August 29) after conferring with County Prosecutors, detectives charged Dwayne “CJ” Cory Wallace Jr. with second-degree murder, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway, three counts of ownership or possession (firearm) prohibited, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
At 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon (August 28) following up on tips from members of the community, Wallace was located at a property on Auli’i Street in the Orchidland Subdivision in Puna. Upon officers arriving on the property, Wallace fled his vehicle and ran into the forest. After a short search, Wallace emerged from the forest and surrendered to police. At the time of arrest, Wallace was in possession of a loaded shotgun. No one was injured.
Wallace’s arrest stems from an incident on Tuesday afternoon, (August 25) just before 1:00 p.m., when Puna patrol officers responded to a call on N. Kulani Road in Mountain View for a report of a male who had just been shot and was lying in the roadway. Police located the victim who was transported to Hilo Medical Center by HFD rescue personnel and was later pronounced dead. Wallace was immediately identified as a suspect.
The victim has been positively identified as 26-year-old Peter C. Grammar, of Mountain View.
An autopsy was performed Wednesday morning (August 26) and determined that Grammar died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The manner of death was ruled homicide.
Wallace is being held at the Hilo Police Station Cellblock in lieu of $1,160,000.00 bail, pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday (August 31) in South Hilo District Court.
The property owner where Wallace was apprehended was also arrested on Friday (August 28) on suspicion of hindering prosecution; however, he was later released pending further investigation. Harboring and assisting a fugitive is a felony offense.
Police ask anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385 or Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov.
