UPDATE – (February 21, 2025) – Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section have identified the murder victim as 36-year-old Brandon Shane Kalani Castillias of Hilo. 

Police say that after an autopsy was performed, a forensic pathologist ruled the manner of death as “homicide due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen”. 

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing this investigation. Police say they have not yet identified a suspect or motive in the deadly shooting.

Search warrants were executed at the Maunakai Street residence near where Castillias was found, and on a vehicle recovered from the residence driveway, police say.

(BIVN) – A shooting left a man dead in Hilo early Wednesday morning, and police have initiated a homicide investigation. 

South Hilo patrol officers responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Maunakai Street shortly after 5 a.m. after receiving a report of a man being shot. 

The victim’s identity is being withheld by police, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. 

The officers’ arrival at the scene was detailed in a police department news release:

Upon arrival, responding officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel located the man, who appeared lifeless, on the roadway fronting the residence with a gunshot wound to the torso. Paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, however they were unsuccessful. 

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation, which is classified as second-degree murder. 

The adult male victim was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:39 a.m. 

Police say an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. 

Anyone who may have been in the area on Maunakai Street shortly before 5 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, or who may have information about this incident, is asked to contact Detective Amy Omaya with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2381, or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiicounty.gov. 

Police say tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.