Following the accidental shooting death of a Boy Scout, police have sent 23 potential firearms-related offenses to the county prosecutor’s office for review.
The offenses stem from the Aug. 28 incident at the Camp Honokaia Boy Scout Camp near Honokaa that killed 11-year-old Boy Scout Manuel “Manny” Carvalho, a member of Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council Troop 19.
According to police, one of the 23 possible charges is for criminally negligent storage of a firearm.
Capt. Rio-Amon Wilkins of the Hilo Criminal Investigation Division said all the charges under review for potential filing are misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in jail upon conviction.
The potential offenses involve three men who were at the scene of the incident and have been identified as the registered owners of multiple firearms, police said.
In total, 18 firearms and ammunition were confiscated by police.
Asked if any of the three men were scoutmasters or certified firearms instructors, Amon-Wilkins referred those questions to the Boy Scouts.
The Tribune-Herald was unable to contact Boy Scouts officials on Tuesday. The organization earlier said it was “fully cooperating” with police.
Police conducted extensive interviews with the adults and minors present at the rifle range. The investigation concluded that an unsupervised juvenile boy picked up a loaded firearm and, as he placed it back down, it discharged, subsequently shooting the victim.
The shooting is believed to be accidental, and police do not suspect foul play in the death of Carvalho, who, according to an autopsy, died as a result of a single gunshot wound.
The firearm that was discharged is owned by the father of the minor who picked it up. No criminal charges are being contemplated against the minor.
Although police have concluded their investigation, they ask anyone who may have additional information to contact Detective Jeremy Kubojiri at (808) 961-2378 or Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov, or the department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
