Police have opened a second-degree murder investigation following an early morning shooting in the Honolii lookout area of Hilo that left a 31-year-old Kona man hospitalized in guarded condition.

The shooting was reported by multiple callers at about 4:35 a.m. Sunday. Responding police found evidence of a shooting but no victim, and closed off Kahoa Road for further investigation.

It was later learned that the the victim had been transported via private vehicle to Hilo Medical Center, where he underwent surgery before being transferred to a hospital on Oahu.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2383 or clarence.davies@hawaiicounty.gov, or Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or todd.pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number at 961-8300 and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.