Probable Cause Found in Deadly Kanaio Shooting

Justin Namauu

A man charged with the shooting death of a Kanaio man last week is due to be arraigned in 2nd Circuit Court on June 13th.

Justin Namauu, 42, of Kula is charged with second degree murder for the death of Dennis Pacheco on Monday, May 21, 2018.

Namauu is also charged with a list of other offenses including: carrying a firearm in commission of separate felony; two counts of prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon; and keeping a pistol or revolver in an improper place.

Namauu was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.  According to court records, a finding of probable cause was made on Thursday after a preliminary hearing held before Judge Blaine Kobayashi.

A complaint filed by the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carson Tani states that Namauu is accused of “intentionally or knowingly” causing the death of Pacheco. The complaint further details each of the five charges against Namauu.

Background:

The charges stem from an alleged shooting incident that reportedly occurred on Monday, May 21, 2018 at a home in Kanaio.  Sources tell Maui Now that special response personnel with the Maui Police Department scoured the area for hours on Tuesday looking for the suspect. On Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at approximately 4:47 p.m., Justin Namauu was located in Kahikinui and placed under arrest on suspicion of Second Degree Murder.  On Friday, May 25, police charged Namauu with a list of offenses including second degree murder.  Police say unidentified human remains were discovered at around 2:03 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018 in Kahikinui.