Big Island police opened a murder investigation following the stabbing death of a man in Hilo. 

The victim, believed to be a 43-year-old homeless man, was found with multiple stab wounds Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of a drug store on Kilauea Avenue, police said.

He died at the Hilo Medical Center at 7:18 p.m.

Detectives believe two other men confronted the victim in a grassy area between a business off Kilauea Avenue and the mauka soccer fields off Kamehameha Avenue. After being stabbed, the victim managed to walk to the parking lot, where he was found.

Police are withholding the name pending notification of his next of kin. 

Detectives are seeking witnesses who may have seen two men running in the north along Kalauea Avenue between Hualalai Street and the downtown area between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. One was described as about 6-feet tall, about 160 pounds with short blond hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing green knee-length shorts and a white T-shirt. The other was described only as a man with a fair complexion wearing a white tank top and prescription glasses. 

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine the exact cause of death.

 Police and ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Norbert Serrao Jr. at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

 Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at  (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.