Prosecutors charged a 15-year-old Waimanalo boy Saturday in the brutal beating death of his 36-year-old mother at their house.
He was identified Friday by a neighbor as Shaundy Moku, the second of Shannell Moku’s five children, who range from college-age to toddler.
A Kaiser High School official confirmed Moku played last year on the Cougars’ JV football team, but is not on this year’s roster.
"We’re praying for everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy," said the official, who asked that his name not be used, and emphasized the need for sensitivity to the kids in school who knew the boy. "It’s a tragedy all around."
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office said Moku died of blunt force injuries to the head and face.
Police were called to the Mokus’ Bell Street home at 8:45 p.m. Thursday after calls for help were heard.
Emergency Medical Services personnel found Shannell Moku in extremely critical condition and transported her to Castle Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Police found the boy nearby at about 9:15 p.m. and arrested him. He was charged late Saturday morning with second-degree murder.
Meanwhile, family members and friends gathered Saturday at the Bell Street house, where they received many who came to pay their respects.
Shannell Moku’s mother, who is caring for the remaining children, said the family was not ready to speak about her daughter’s death.
Neighbors were still disturbed by the killing, and declined to speak publicly about the tragedy.
One man described the teenager as a "good kid."
"Get conflicts, but I never expected anything like that to happen," said the man, who asked not to be named.
Neighbors said Moku was a devoted single mom and a "really nice lady."
She owned a portable toilet rental business called Aloha Potty’s, registered with the state since 2011.
Because Shaundy Moku is a juvenile, he is not listed in the police arrest log. Police declined to comment on the case.
Unless Moku is tried as an adult, all proceedings will be held in secret in Family Court.
The Family Court can waive its jurisdiction in such cases.
Vernon Bartley, who was 15 when he strangled Ewa Beach neighbor Karen Ertell in 2007, was tried as an adult and received a life sentence plus 10 years, with the possibility of parole.
