Preliminary hearing set for Kona men accused of stabbings
An violent affray Saturday night after a graduation party at the Kona Imin Center, a Hawaii County facility in Holualoa, resulted in two men suffering stab wounds and “people running down the road in a panic,” according to court documents filed by police.
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A party-goer, 41-year-old Jose Luis Perez Reynaga, reportedly told officers that he was approached by three Hispanic men acting aggressively.
One of the men rushed toward Perez Reynaga, he told police. A scuffle ensued, and Perez Reynaga was stabbed above his left knee, the documents state.
Another man who witnessed the assault identified 25-year-old Brandon Damian Urzua as the assailant and said Damian Urzua reached into his waistband and produced a knife with a blade approximately 12 inches in length prior to the attack, according to police.
Perez Reynaga was treated by medics at the scene.
Officers learned that a second man had been stabbed and left in a Toyota 4Runner heading toward Waiono Ranch Road.
Police found the 4Runner and the victim at a Waiono Ranch Road residence. The victim, 42-year-old Jose Perez, sustained a puncture wound to his left thigh and buttock that penetrated the pelvis, resulting in internal damage and significant blood loss, police said.
He was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition and was subsequently flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment.
Police also learned the suspects left in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck, according to the documents. Police later spotted the truck traveling makai on Lako Street in Kailua-Kona near the 24-hour Shell gas station and conducted a traffic stop.
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All four occupants — Brandon Damian Urzua, 27-year-old Brayan Damian Urzua, 23-year-old Ivan Juarez Jacobo and 33-year-old Ivan Mondragon Urzua — were arrested.
According to police, Brandon Damian Urzua had abrasions on the knuckles on his right hand, a small puncture wound on his left bicep, and blood on his clothing. Brayan Damian Urzua had a scrape about an inch long on his right forearm.
Brandon Damian Urzua was charged Monday with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts second-degree assault. His bail was set at $1.2 million. After being read his rights, he requested a lawyer, so no interview was conducted.
Brayan Damian Urzua was charged as an accomplice to second-degree attempted murder and first- and second-degree assault. His bail was set at $1.15 million.
Juarez Jacobo and Mondragon Urzua had no obvious injuries, the documents state, and were released from custody without charges, pending further investigation.
Both Brandon Damian Urzua and Brayan Damian Urzua made separate initial court appearances Tuesday.
Kona District Judge Andrew Kennedy maintained bail for both men and ordered them to return for a preliminary hearing today.
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Email John Burnett at [email protected].