Wahiawa man allegedly told supervisor he was going to shoot his ex-girlfriend before Sand Island shooting
ROSEMARIE BERNARDO /RBERNARDO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Theodore Kim, 59, made his initial court appearance before Judge Summer Kupau-Odo at Honolulu District Court today on charges of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of firearm offenses.
A 59-year-old man accused of firing a shotgun multiple times at his ex-girlfriend near Sand Island was in Honolulu District Court this morning for his initial appearance on first-degree attempted murder, two firearm and TRO violation charges.
District Judge Summer Kupau-Odo confirmed bail for Theodore Kim at $320,000.
This afternoon, an Oahu grand jury indicted Kim on the same charges and State Circuit Judge Shirley Kawamura increased his bail to $1 million.
Kim is charged with first-degree attempted murder, which carries a mandatory life prison term with no opportunity for release on bail, because the TRO involved the ex-girlfriend.
Six days before the shooting, a judge granted a six-month temporary restraining order for the victim against Kim, according to court documents detailing the shooting. The woman and Kim were involved in a 15-year relationship and lived together in Wahiawa.
Police said the ex-girlfriend, 52, left McDonald’s Restaurant on Nimitz Highway and was walking to the bus stop at the intersection of Sand Island Access Road at about 1:45 p.m. Sunday when Kim approached her from behind.
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The ex-girlfriend told police that Kim told her to come with him. She refused and walked away. While at the bus stop with her dog, she heard a “loud bang.”
Police said the woman turned around and saw Kim walking toward her holding a shotgun. They said Kim shot another round toward the woman, who ran away and heard a third shot.
No injuries were reported.
Court documents revealed a shotgun round struck the driver’s side rear tail light of a black GMC sport utility vehicle and another round struck the passenger side of a truck bed of a silver Toyota Tundra.
Police recovered two shotgun shells from the roadway fronting the bus stop at the busy intersection of the highway and Sand Island Access Road. A third shell was recovered behind the bus stop.
Police said Kim ran to a gray Ford Ranger pickup truck that was parked near the intersection, placed the shotgun in the camper and drove off.
Court documents indicated Kim’s employer reported to Kim’s probation officer on Sept. 26 that he allegedly told a co-worker and supervisor that he was going to shoot the victim. They told him not to do it and to turn himself in.
CrimeStoppers issued a bulletin seeking the public’s help in locating Kim. Police arrested him in Manoa Wednesday morning.
Star-Advertiser reporter Nelson Daranciang contributed to this report.
