Homeless man’s death opens murder case

Detectives have opened a murder investigation into the death of an 83-year-old homeless man who was taken to the hospital Tuesday with severe head injuries after he was beaten in Chinatown.

Police said that Mamerto "Eddie" Semana died Thursday night at the hospital.

An ambulance was called at 3:24 a.m. Tuesday to College Walk and Kukui Street, where Semana was found unconscious. Police believe the assault occurred four hours earlier.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellphone.

Suspect in Pearl City attack is released

Police on Friday released a 39-year-old homeless man suspected of trying to kill a 49-year-old man with a rifle in Pearl City last month, pending further investigation.

The suspect was arrested Wednesday in Ewa on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder.

Police said the suspect shot and seriously wounded the older man near the ABC Auto Parts off Lehua Avenue on Nov. 4. The victim was shot several times.

The victim managed to walk along a bike path to a house in Waiawa, where a resident saw the victim was bleeding.