A 32-year-old Hilo man was arrested and charged with assault and additional charges following an attack that sent a 71-year-old to a local medical center. "One arrested and charged following attack on 71-year-old Hilo man", said the statement.
Jerome Leader, 32, of Hilo, was taken into custody and accused of assault and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. This came after the Hawai’i Island Police Department responded to a report stating that a man had been "hit by a bat who was on the ground unconscious, bleeding from the face."
The incident occurred around 11:08 a.m. on Nov. 2. The police received a call about the situation, which prompted officers from Hilo’s patrol units to arrive at the scene. The victim was identified as a 71-year-old Hilo man, whose identity remains undisclosed. He was transported to Hilo Medical Center by the Hawai’i Fire Department, according to information provided in a press release issued on Nov. 4.
Witnesses on scene provided accounts to police, detailing how Leader rode atop the hood of the victim’s car along Keawe Street, until the victim pulled it into a parking lot, triggering an argument between them both. Witnesses allege that this escalated when the victim chased Leader, wielding a small bat, but ceased before any harm could be done.
However, Leader retaliated afterwards by forcefully pushing him in his back, causing him to fall onto the sidewalk. Motionless for several minutes, the victim sustained an injury above his right eye. Contrary to initial reports stating he had been hit with the bat, police clarified that this was not true.
Leader was subsequently identified through cell phone footage captured by one witness. He was found later that day within Pauhi Street canal as disclosed in the press release.