A 72-year-old man police say shot a neighbor to death early Monday evening in a gated lower Puna subdivision was released from custody pending further investigation.
A 72-year-old man police say shot a neighbor to death early Monday evening in a gated lower Puna subdivision was released from custody pending further investigation.
Richard “Rick” R. Edwards of Kapoho Beach Lots was arrested at the scene on suspicion of second-degree murder and held at the Hilo police cellblock. After conferring with prosecutors, detectives released him at 3:50 p.m. today.
The medical examiner determined that the victim, 56-year-old Bryan Lynn Thomas, died of gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest.
Media reports say Thomas came onto Edwards’ property on Kumukahi Road and confronted Edwards with a baseball bat, and was shot to death with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Edwards reportedly called 911 to report the shooting at 5:14 p.m. Police reportedly found Thomas unresponsive, face down on the driveway.
Police ask anyone with any information about the shooting, which occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 or dean.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may call the Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.