Shooting suspect
saw van of teens
as thieves
Nuu Pelesasa told a cousin
By Michelle Cournoyer
he thought they tried to steal
his car, an officer says
and Rod Ohira
Star-BulletinA 21-year-old man accused of shooting a teen girl thought he was firing on a group of car thieves, according to a police report.
Nuu Pelesasa has been charged with attempted second-degree murder.
In an affidavit filed today at District Court, Officer Francis Oku Jr. of the police Gang Detail said Pelesasa told his cousin, Johnny Yuhashi, that he thought the occupants of a van had tried to break into his car last Monday night.
Pelesasa returned the following night to his former residence at 1420 Alapai St., where his car had been parked, determined to shoot those responsible, according the report.
Pelesasa allegedly fired at the van on Magellan and Captain Cook avenues near Alapai Street in Punchbowl, critically wounding 16-year-old Luann Liftee, who was riding in the rear passenger seat.
Liftee was shot in the upper right abdomen, and her liver was punctured. She is listed in fair condition at Queen's Hospital.
Pelesasa was also charged yesterday with firearm offenses and five counts of reckless endangering. His bail totals $145,000.
According to the affidavit, Pelesasa was identified and arrested Friday from information developed by the Gang Detail.
The van was parked briefly on Manele Street near the Alapai Street apartment building at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday when its occupants saw Pelesasa walking toward them armed with a gun, the report says.
The van left the scene, going up Green Street before turning onto Emerson Street and back to Alapai Street.
It was on Alapai Street that the six people in the van saw Pelesasa standing on the roadway.
A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
