A 34-year-old Hilo man is in custody following a shooting that left two women dead.

The shooting occurred at 11:20 pm Monday night.  Police responding to several calls of gunshots in the 600 block of Leilani Street discovered two victims with apparent gunshot wounds. 

Both victims were taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead. 

Police are withholding the release of the victims’ identity pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. 

Officers arrested the suspect on suspicion of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. 

Two children who were also at the residence at the time of the shooting were uninjured and are under the care of family members. 

Police ask that anyone with information on the case call Detective Ernest Matsumoto at 961-2379, or email at ematsumoto@co.hawaii.hi.us;  or Detective Joel Field at 961-2381 or email at jfield@co.hawaii.hi.us