Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 46-year-old Walter Gomes III, with terroristic threatening, and numerous traffic crimes stemming from an incident that occurred Sunday afternoon, July 28, 2024, in which a man was reportedly seen running from the scene of a traffic collision in Pāpa‘ikou, with what appeared to be a firearm. 

On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, at 2:20 p.m., Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Gomes with the following offense after conferral with Hawai’i County Prosecutors Office:

• 1st Degree Terroristic Threatening
• Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License
• No Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy
• Accidents Involving Damage to Vehicle
• Duty to Give Information or Render Aid
• Reckless Driving

Total bail for Gomes was set at $22,000.

Gomes remains in custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday, August 1st, 2024, in South Hilo District Court.

Responding to a reported traffic collision near the intersection of Highway 19 and Old Māmalahoa Highway shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, officers determined that a dark-colored 2005 Cadillac Escalade sports utility vehicle (SUV) collided with a gray 2017 Toyota pick-up truck as it was attempting to overtake the pickup. After the collision, the male operator of the SUV exited the vehicle and fled the scene with what appeared to be a rifle.

The operator of the Cadillac was described as a local male, roughly 5 feet 10 inches, 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Upon arrival, officers conducted extensive checks in the area but were unable to locate the man. No one was injured in the incident and the identity of the man was not established.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 8:10 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers located and arrested Gomes on Hikina Place after receiving multiple calls of Gomes being seen in the area of Highway 19 and the 6-mile marker. He was then transported to the East Hawai’i Detention Facility for booking, processing, and continued investigation.  

A search warrant was executed on the Cadillac which resulted in the recovery of an empty air rifle box, air rifle pump, and documents for Walter Gomes III. A search of a ravine in the area of the traffic collision where Gomes was seen fleeing was conducted and resulted in the recovery of an air rifle which matched the box recovered in his vehicle.

Following the traffic collision and reports of the operator (Gomes) fleeing the scene on foot, several witnesses reported on social media that gunshots were fired. This information was determined not to be factual based on evidence and additional witness statements.  

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident can contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2381, or via email at amy.omaya@hawaiicounty.gov.