Bail set for man
in shooting caseThe Kihei resident allegedly
fired at an off-duty police picnic
WAILUKU >> A Kihei man's bail was set at $530,000 yesterday in Wailuku District Court for allegedly shooting at a group of off-duty police officers at a park in south Maui.
Ernest Chavira Jr., 27, of Halona Street, faces a charge of first-degree attempted murder for allegedly firing the shot near the Kalama Park main pavilion about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Chavira is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow before Wailuku District Judge Reinette Cooper.
Police arrested Chavira at his home Thursday.
Maui police Lt. Glenn Cuomo said a .44-caliber Smith & Wesson believed to have been used in the incident was recovered in Kihei.
Police said the off-duty officers were having an evening picnic on Wednesday when two men confronted and taunted them at about 9:30 p.m.
The two men left but returned a few minutes later, with one displaying a handgun and firing two shots at the group, police said.
An officer fired a single shot back at the gunman, who fled the area along with the other man, police said.
The second man was arrested at Chavira's home and released pending further investigation.
