Police said in a statement they think a shooting earlier today in North Kohala is not related to the manhunt for Walter Gomes III “contrary to information in social media posts.”
Officers responded to the area of Wainaia Gulch near the 24-mile marker on Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) on the report of a person who appeared to be in distress.
Upon finding the 37-year-old man, officers heard a single gunshot from nearby which struck the victim.
The victim was taken first to North Hawaii Community Hospital, then flown to an Oahu hospital, reportedly in serious condition.
Police say it appears the man was shot twice.
Kohala Middle School was locked down and Akoni Pule Highway was temporarily closed while investigators processed the crime scene and conducted their investigation.
As of now, police think the shooting is not related to the manhunt for Gomes, who’s wanted for questioning in connection with a reported shooting March 20 in Kailua-Kona that injured a woman.
Witnesses to the Kohala shooting or anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Roylen Valera at (808) 326-4646 extension 230 or via email at roylen.valera@hawaiicounty.gov or to call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.