Mililani gunman sentenced to 20 years

The man who claims he shot two people in self-defense at a Mililani park in 2011 was sentenced Tuesday to a mandatory 20-year prison term.

Circuit Judge Randal Lee said he believes Richard P. Silva III, 45, went to Kipapa Park with a gun and shot two men because he held a grudge over a beating he took in high school.

Silva had been charged with attempted murder, but a state jury in November found him guilty of reckless dangering, assault and using a firearm to commit the assault.

Lee imposed the 20-year prison term for the firearms charge and ordered Silva to serve at least three years of the sentence before he can be eligible for parole. The Hawaii Paroling Authority can set a higher minimum term.

Silva wept as he repeated his claim Tuesday that he shot Chadwick Ceno and Travis Joaquin on July 4, 2011, in self-defense.

“I didn’t go out that night looking for trouble,” Silva said in court. “Sorry they got hurt. I pray for them every day.”

Silva shot Ceno in the stomach then shot Joaquin in the back as Joaquin was running away. After the men fell to the ground, the state said, Silva went back to Ceno, fired more shots at him, then did the same with Joaquin.

Both men survived.

During their deliberations last November, the jurors told the court they could not agree on who had brought the gun to the park.

Silva testified he wrestled the gun away from Ceno after Ceno pointed it at him.

Lee said it’s clear to him, based on the evidence presented in trial, that Silva went to The Shack Mililani with two friends looking for David Kahanu, who had beaten him up in high school in a dispute over who had the better car. Kahuna was there with friends.

The judge said he believes Silva went home, got his gun and went back to The Shack. But Kahanu didn’t go to Kipapa Park; Ceno and Joaquin went for him. Lee said it’s no coincidence that Silva shot Ceno and Joaquin, but not a third man not associated with Kahanu who also went to the park.

Lee asked Silva if what he did was worth it. Silva said, “Absolutely not.”