A 56-year-old Hanapepe man involved in an altercation with a 46-year-old Hanapepe man Wednesday afternoon died while undergoing surgery that night at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, according to county officials. The men, who were previously acquaintances according to Kaua‘i Police
A 56-year-old Hanapepe man involved in an altercation with a 46-year-old Hanapepe man Wednesday afternoon died while undergoing surgery that night at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, according to county officials.
The men, who were previously acquaintances according to Kaua‘i Police Department Det. Todd Tanaka, reportedly fought in a parking lot behind Bank of Hawai‘i in Hanapepe.
The elder man, identified as Jerry Walto, originally of Murrieta, Calif., was struck during the fight and was taken to KVMH at around 2:30 p.m., according to county spokeswoman Mary Daubert.
He died at around 7:30 p.m. while undergoing surgery. An autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.
Police are continuing their investigation of the incident, Tanaka said.
Anyone who was in the area when the incident occurred should call Tanaka at 241-1694, Police Dispatch, 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers, 241-1887.
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to an arrest.
