Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 31 year-old Amber McAtee of Puna was charged in relation to a January 25, 2022 incident following the report of a gunshot during a sibling dispute in the Nanawale Estates subdivision. This marks the second time this week that an individual with a prior felony conviction prohibited from owning or possessing firearms has been charged with discharging a firearm in a residential area.

As the Complaint alleges, McAtee was charged with 6 offenses including Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree (discharging a firearm in a populated or residential area and/or in the boundaries or direction of any road, street, or highway), Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (threaten by word or conduct, with a dangerous instrument, a pistol, to cause bodily injury to another person), Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possession of any amount of methamphetamine), and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. The Complaint also indicates that McAtee has a prior felony conviction for Robbery in the Second Degree.

McAtee made her initial appearance on Thursday, January 27 in Hilo District Court. Her bail was maintained at $40,000.00.  She was ordered to appear for her preliminary hearing in Hilo District Court. 2 on Monday, January 31.

The case was initiated by Puna Patrol and the arrest and felony investigation was handled by Officers Michael Sailer, Christopher Fukumoto, and Detective Keith Simeona, Special Enforcement Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Photo credit: Office of the Prosecuting Attorney