A 41-year-old Omao man is awaiting extradition to the U.S. in the killing of an 88-year-old man on Kauai, police said Friday.

During the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, firefighters responded to a medical call of an unresponsive male and found the victim, identified as Amby Cruz, at his Omao home. He was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to a news release by the Kauai Police Department.

Autopsy results determined Cruz died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

An arrest warrant was issued for the 41-year-old man. On Wednesday law enforcement — with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Honolulu office and the Taipei government — took the suspect into custody when he arrived in Taiwan while en route to the Philippines.

He is awaiting extradition back to Hawaii. Charges are pending.

Police are not releasing details of the homicide at this time.

Kauai Assistant Chief Roy Asher said he does not know the relationship between the suspect and Cruz.

It’s unknown who made the 911 call Jan. 1.

Cruz’s son, Anthony, declined to comment on the case.

Amby Cruz, originally from San Ildefonso of the Ilocos Sur province, Philippines, arrived in Hawaii in the mid-1940s to work at the sugar plantation fields on Kauai, Anthony Cruz said. He retired as a mechanic after working at Lihue Plantation for more than 45 years.

"He enjoyed life. He was a very caring person. He would give his shirt off his back to anyone," Anthony Cruz said.

Family was foremost to Cruz, who has four adult children, numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"He always looked out for his family," said Anthony Cruz. "He enjoyed being around family."

"We’re in shock and disbelief. We would have accepted Dad’s passing if it was naturally, but the way he passed, it’s very difficult for us."

Amby Cruz enjoyed raising chickens and farming. He had a garden where he grew vegetables such as eggplant, malunggay and tomatoes.

Cruz will be best remembered for being a caring and generous father, his son said.

"We will just miss him."

Family members thanked Kauai police and the FBI for their ongoing investigation, Anthony Cruz said. "I know they’re working hard to get justice for our family."

Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to call Detective Bernard Purisima at 241-1682 or CrimeStoppers at 241-1887.