Police arrested and charged 21-year-old Avery Nissen of Overland Park, Kansas, with attempted murder following a stabbing incident Thursday aboard a boat off the Kona coast.
At 3:21 p.m. on Thursday, Kona patrol officers responded to the Honokohau Harbor where a fishing vessel was returning from sea with the victim and suspect of a stabbing incident onboard.
Upon arrival, it was reported that the captain of the boat, a 62-year-old male, was attacked with a filet knife by Nissen while on a three-hour snorkel tour, according to police.
Other passengers onboard the vessel intervened and restrained Nissen, police said. The motive for the attack is unknown.
The victim sustained a stab wound to the lower abdomen and numerous knife cuts to the head and hands. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he remained in stable condition.
Nissen was charged today with the following offenses: second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault.
His total bail was set at $1.57 million, and his initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Kona District Court.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to please contact Detective Bradley Llanes at (808) 326-4646, ext. 268 or via email at Bradley.Llanes@hawaiipolice.