A 42-year-old Puna man accused of firing two gunshots Sunday night near the busy corner where Kamehameha Avenue meets Kanoelehua Avenue and Banyan Drive in Hilo pointed a handgun at a former co-worker’s face and threatened to “bury” him, according to court documents.
A 42-year-old Puna man accused of firing two gunshots Sunday night near the busy corner where Kamehameha Avenue meets Kanoelehua Avenue and Banyan Drive in Hilo pointed a handgun at a former co-worker’s face and threatened to “bury” him, according to court documents.
Robert Lee Segobia Jr. of Pahoa allegedly approached 31-year-old Reginald Leite as he sat on a bench outside Joann’s Lounge and accused Leite of owing him money.
Leite, who said he knew Segobia from a previous construction job, reportedly told police an argument ensued, and Segobia then pulled the black and silver handgun from his waistband, racked the slide, pointed it at Leite’s face and made the threat.
Documents state Segobia walked away when people started coming out of the bar, which is located at 88 Kanoelehua Ave. About three or four minutes later, the shots were fired, which were heard by diners at two nearby restaurants, Ken’s House of Pancakes and Verna’s Drive Inn.
Police say they found Segobia shortly afterward hiding in a hedge along Kamehameha Avenue. According to documents, a loaded Smith &Wesson automatic handgun was found about 10-15 feet away. Two empty shell casings also were discovered in an abandoned parking lot nearby, police said.
Segobia, who has no prior felony convictions, was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree reckless endangering and illegally carrying a loaded handgun. The firearms charge is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.
Segobia appeared Wednesday in Hilo District Court, where Judge Harry Freitas denied a defense request to lower his $27,500 bail and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. today.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.