Man indicted in shooting at beach park
At Ala Moana Park on Sept. 1, Christopher Alesna fired six shots - one hitting Khaynava Phanthanouvoung on the left ear, another on the right ear and a third in the chest, said Vickie Kapp, deputy city prosecutor.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner said Phanthanouvoung, 18, of Kalihi, bled to death from the shot to his chest.
An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Alesna, 19, also of Kalihi, with second-degree murder, using a firearm in the slaying and illegal firearm possession. Circuit Judge Derrick Chan confirmed bail for Alesna at $150,000.
Kapp said Alesna has a prior arrest and conviction for fourth-degree theft, a petty misdemeanor.
Police said Alesna and Phanthanouvoung knew each other and went to Ala Moana Park to fight. Phanthanouvoung called and text-messaged Alesna on the evening of Aug. 31, challenging him to a fight, police said.
They agreed to meet at Ala Moana Beach Park and, accompanied by friends, confronted each other near the Waikiki Yacht Club in the early morning hours of Sept. 1.
About 2:40 a.m., witnesses told police they heard gunshots shortly after the confrontation. A friend drove Phanthanouvoung to the Queen's Medical Center, where he died.
Police said Alesna fled before they arrived but later turned himself in.