Suspect claims defense in knifing

Edgar Gamulo says the victim was an "unwelcome" visitor

A man charged with second-degree attempted murder in the New Year's Eve stabbing of a man in Pearl City told police he was defending himself.

According to a police affidavit, Edgar Saludez Gamulo talked to police with what appeared to be blood on his hands.

"They came onto my property unwelcome, and I defended myself. Arrest me," Gamulo told police.

Police found the victim, Lee Maunupau, on the driveway at 98-312 Kaluamoi Drive, holding his hands over his lower abdomen, which was bleeding.

A neighbor told police Gamulo had driven recklessly to his own home. The neighbor said he, Maunupau and another neighbor had gone to Gamulo's house to tell him to watch out for their children, who were playing outside on New Year's Eve, the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, the witness said there was a confrontation between Gamulo and the victim and that Gamulo had crouched down below Maunupau and moved his hands holding an unknown object forward, backward and side to side.

Maunupau then said, "I'm stabbed."

A woman was seen rushing up the stairway to the second floor with Gamulo, witnesses told police.

Maunupau was taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

Police arrested Gamulo for second-degree attempted murder at 11 p.m. New Year's Eve.