A Puna man has pled guilty to manslaughter and firearms offenses in a deadly 2019 shooting at a home in the Fern Acres subdivision.

Ryan Davis, 38, admitted to killing 39-year-old Joshua John Santos after an argument started with Santos accusing Davis of having an affair with his girlfriend. Court documents say Davis’ was having dinner with his girlfriend when Santos came looking for his own girlfriend, who was not there at the time. Santos allegedly punched Davis, and Davis then shot and killed Santos.

Puna man, 39-year-old Ryan Davis, has pleaded “Guilty” to the offenses of Manslaughter and Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony in relation to a 2019 shooting in Mountain View. Manslaughter and Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony are both class “A” felony offenses and carry up to a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

Davis, who has been in custody in lieu of $310,000.00 throughout the duration of these criminal proceedings following his March 19, 2019 arrest, was ordered to appear for sentencing on August 4, 2022. Court documentation indicates that in accordance with the agreement, Davis has agreed to serve a twenty-year prison term. The agreement also contemplates that Davis serves a mandatory minimum term of five (5) years without the possibility of parole.

The case was initiated by Puna Patrol, and the arrest and felony investigation was led by Detective Kelly Moniz and the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.