Police seek motive in fatal Hilo shooting

Police haven’t determined a motive for a shooting early Friday morning in the Waiakea Houselots neighborhood of Hilo that fatally injured a 40-year-old man.

The victim, who died Monday evening at Hilo Medical Center, was identified as Sheldon Navor, who lived at the home at 555 Hinano St., police said.

“We’re still trying to determine through this investigation whether (the shooting is) intentional or accidental,” Lt. Miles Chong of the Hilo Criminal Investigations Section said. “We’re still trying to put all the pieces together on this one.”

Chong said the man’s body was found outside the home and a handgun was recovered at the scene.

Chong said no suspects have been identified. He also acknowledged that detectives haven’t ruled out suicide as a possibility, but added, “We’re not just focusing on that aspect. We’re trying to look at everything here.”

According to Chong, there were other people at the house when the shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m.

“They came out and did first aid (and) called 911,” he said. “We didn’t find any witnesses who actually saw what happened. We’re still looking for anyone who saw or heard something to give us a call.”

According to a police log, the shooting was originally classified as a first-degree assault.

Detectives continue to investigate and classified Navor’s death as a coroner’s inquest. Chong said an autopsy was in progress late Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call detectives Tuckloy Aurello at 961-2385 or B.J. Sagon at 961-2375. Those who prefer anonymity can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.