Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Division – Area I
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 22-114588
Media Release
Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 33-year-old Sione Koula Sipinga, of Pahoa, with attempted murder and numerous firearm-related offenses following a violent altercation in the Leilani Estates subdivision early Christmas morning, December 25, 2022.
On Thursday morning, January 5, 2023, after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Sipinga with second-degree attempted murder, ownership or possession of firearm prohibited, carrying/use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on public highways, and first-degree reckless endangering. His bail is set at $175,000.
The charges against Sipinga stem from an incident reported shortly before 7:30 a.m. Christmas morning, when Puna patrol officers responded to Leilani Avenue for a report of an altercation involving gun shots being fired. The 59-year-old male victim called Police Dispatch reporting that he had been shot at by an acquaintance will driving, and then again after a collision involving the victim and suspect’s vehicles. There were no reported injuries at that time.
Responding officers contacted the victim, who immediately identified Sipinga as the suspect. Sipinga left the area prior to police arrival.
Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives responded to the scene to continue this investigation.
Police canvassed the Leilani Estates subdivision area attempting to locate Sipinga and his vehicle. The vehicle was later located at Sipinga’s neighbor’s residence and recovered as evidence. The victim’s vehicle was also recovered.
Sipinga remained at large until his arrest in Leilani Estates on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 10:30 p.m. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Friday afternoon, January 6, 2023, in Hilo District Court.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Detective Jeremy Kubojiri at (808) 961-2378 or email him at Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.
