MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are continuing the investigation into an early morning shooting in Hilo last month.

As part of that investigation, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section arrested 43-year-old John Perez of a Hilo address at 10:13 a.m. Tuesday (February 23) on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder. Perez remains in the Hilo police cellblock while detectives continue the investigation.

Police are seeking individuals who may have witnessed the shooting in the Honoliʻi lookout area shortly before 4:35 a.m. on January 31. Witnesses are asked to 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 island wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribed to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.