Hawaii island police have opened a murder investigation after finding the body of a man with gunshot wounds Saturday night in Hilo.
Police were called at about 8:45 p.m. to investigate gunshots near Mooheau Park. Responding officers discovered the body, and police have identified the victim as Faafetai Fiu, 32, of Hilo.
Police said Sunday morning the suspect is at large.
Officers closed Bayfront Highway from Pauahi Street to Waianuenue Avenue while detectives investigated the case as a second-degree murder. Traffic was routed onto Kamehameha Avenue into downtown Hilo.
Police reopened the highway shortly after 10 a.m.
An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine the exact cause of death, police said.
Police said investigators are reviewing videos from businesses along Kamehameha Avenue and plan to interview fishermen who frequent the Bayfront area.
Police ask that motorists or pedestrians call police if they witnessed a confrontation Saturday night near a silver or light-colored vehicle parked on the makai shoulder of the highway near the Mooheau Ball Field.
In September, Fiu was convicted of first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, both Class C felonies. He was sentenced to one year in prison and five years of probation. He has convictions dating back to 2006 for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, harassment and contempt of court.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or ralmeida@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000, police said. All CrimeStoppers information is kept confidential.
