The lawyer for a 72-year-old man arrested Saturday in connection with a fatal shooting possibly related to road rage in Aiea said his client was “devastated” by the incident.
Rustam Barbee said that when he visited Darryl Freeman at the police cellblock Sunday, Freeman wanted to tell him what happened, but the two did not discuss the shooting because of privacy concerns.
Barbee said the incident has been tough on Freeman, a retired firefighter, partly because of his age.
“He’s pretty distraught at this point,” he said. “His family is very concerned.”
Freeman, of Aiea, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Saturday for investigation of second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 31-year-old Kalihi man, whom family members identified as Keenyn Pahio, a father of three girls.
Police said Freeman and Pahio got into an argument possibly over a traffic-related issue on Moanalua Road in front of Aiea Shopping Center shortly before noon Saturday. Freeman got out of his van, shot Pahio and drove away, police said.
Pahio was taken to a hospital, where he died. A witness told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she heard the gunshot and looked to the roadway to see Pahio slumped against a white van.
When the van driver drove off, Pahio’s body fell to the ground. She said numerous good Samaritans rushed to Pahio’s aid, wrapping his head wound and giving him CPR.
A family representative said two of Pahio’s three daughters, both younger than 7, were in his car at the time.
Shortly after the gunfire, police located Freeman at his home on Heen Way, about 2 miles away. Freeman refused to leave his home or to let anyone in, but police talked him into surrendering.
Homicide detectives returned to Freeman’s home Sunday morning with a search warrant to gather evidence.
Pahio’s family released a statement Sunday thanking “everyone for all their love and support during this difficult time” and giving “special thanks” to the good Samaritans who helped Pahio “during the tragic moment.”
“At this time we ask for your continuous prayers especially for Keenyn’s three daughters,” the statement said.
Lendell Agpaoa, Pahio’s friend since childhood, said Pahio was a humorous “gentle giant” who celebrated a birthday Wednesday and lived for his three children.
He said Pahio’s social media posts were often about his girls.
“I’m just heartbroken for them,” he said.
Agpaoa and Pahio met through Kalakaua Boxing Club in middle school, and Pahio continued to train at the club until recently. He said Pahio, a carpenter, was large, at about 6 feet 1 inch, but that he wasn’t an angry person. Pahio liked to joke around and play ukulele, Agpaoa said.
“He’s a real cool guy,” he said. “If you first meet him, some people may think he’s intimidating because he’s big. But he’s funny. He has this loud laugh that will make everybody laugh.”
Barbee, Freeman’s attorney, said he was surprised to hear media reports saying neighbors feared Freeman and that he had threatened them.
He described Freeman as an “intelligent, nice elderly gentleman” who has been taking care of his mother for some years. “He seems like a regular elderly guy.”
Barbee said he spoke with one of Freeman’s children, who was also very concerned and supportive.
Both Freeman and Pahio have criminal histories.
Pahio had convictions in January for two drug offenses and driving a vehicle while intoxicated. He also had convictions for a temporary restraining order violation in 2013, disorderly conduct in 2011 and misdemeanor assault in 2005.
Freeman, a former Waiau battalion fire chief, who is listed as 6 feet 2 inches tall on the state’s criminal database, has state and federal criminal records.
According to state records, he has eight convictions, including for theft, two firearm violations and auto theft.
He was convicted in federal court in 1993 of mail fraud, racketeering involving mail fraud, and three counts of tax evasion. Court documents said he ran a scam for more than 20 years by having associates make fraudulent claims to defraud automobile insurance companies.
He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay $216,000 in restitution. Court documents said he still owed $191,000 in 2010, and in 2013 his liability to pay expired.
