- Hawaii Police Department - https://www.hawaiipolice.com -

Ka‘ū shooting 11-20-09

Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area II
Lieutenant Darren Horio
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 266
November 20, 2009
Report No. C09033477

Media Release

Big Island detectives are investigating a shooting incident in Ka‘ū that took place Thursday evening (November 19) around 10 p.m.

Police dispatched to the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision determined that 45-year-old John Fitzsimmons had been sleeping in his home on King Kamehameha Boulevard when an acquaintance climbed through a living room window, entered the bedroom and punched him several times while he lay in bed.

The assailant, 34-year-old Justin Michaels of no permanent address, then exited the house. When he tried to re-enter through the front door, Fitzsimmons fired two shots, hitting Michaels once in the left upper thigh. 

Michaels was treated for a bullet wound to his left leg at Kona Community Hospital and then released. Fitzsimmons did not require any medical attention for his injuries.

Michaels was initially arrested for burglary and Fitzsimmons for assault.

Both men are in police custody at the Kealakehe Police cellblock pending possible charges as detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.