Kalihi shooting suspect appears in court

A 25-year-old man made his initial court appearance at Honolulu District Court after he was charged in connection with a shooting in Kalihi where a 19-year-old man sustained critical injuries.

Edrei J. Arreola, also known as EJ, appeared in court Monday before Judge James Kawashima after prosecutors charged him a day earlier with second-degree attempted murder and three counts of firearm- related offenses.

His bail has been set at $250,000.

Police said a male suspect later identified as Arreola and a 19-year-old man were in separate vehicles when they became involved in some type of confrontation near 3510 Kalihi St. at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The two men are acquaintances.

Police said Arreola then allegedly brandished a firearm and fired multiple gunshots at the victim as the victim drove away. Arreola then fled the scene.

According to a court document, an off-duty police officer was at the top of the driveway at 3510 Kalihi St. at the time of the shooting when he heard about six to eight gunshots coming from the bottom of the driveway.

The officer then saw two vehicles speed off on Kalihi Street in the southbound direction. When the officer continued down the driveway, he observed a vehicle in the middle of the road where the driver shouted for help and that “he has been shot.”

Police said the officer rendered first aid when the victim identified Arreola as the shooter. Police said Emergency Medical Services treated and transported the 19-year-old man in critical condition to The Queen’s Medical Center.

Police spotted Arreola near the Marine Training Education Center on Sand Island at about 6 p.m.

Puna man charged in sex assault of minor

A 37-year-old staffer at a Hilo youth program, charged Friday with sexually assaulting a girl inside in his vehicle, was freed after posting bail, Hawaii County police said Monday.

The girl reported that Paul Banasihan Jr., a male staff member of a youth program in Hilo, removed her from her classroom on the afternoon of April 17, took her to his personal vehicle on premises and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police charged him with six counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Banasihan posted $66,000 bail Friday. He is scheduled to appear in South Hilo District Court at 1:30 p.m. May 15.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 961-2276 or Fetuutuunai.Amuimuia@hawaiicounty.gov.

Call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 to leave an anonymous tip.