A 79-year-old Kealakekua man was taken into custody without incident following a shooting that left a 61-year-old Kailua-Kona man dead. 

On Saturday, August 21, 2021, at about 4:45 p.m., police responded to a residence on Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua after receiving a report of a shooting. 

Donald Carpenter of Kealakekua was arrested and taken to the Kealakehe Police Station Cellblock on suspicion of second-degree murder. After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Carpenter was released on Sunday, August 22, pending investigation. Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation.

Detectives are withholding the victim‘s identification pending confirmation of his identity and notification of the next of kin. 

If anyone has information regarding this incident, call Detective Tyler Prokopec of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 224 or email at tyler.prokopec@hawaiicounty.gov.