A 22-year-old man charged in the shooting death of a 40-year-old man in Haleiwa allegedly shot the same man in an altercation four months ago, according to court documents.
Kaden K. Kanae made his initial court appearance before Judge James Kawashima at Honolulu District Court Monday after prosecutors charged him Sunday night with second-degree murder and three counts of firearm-related charges in the death of Thomas McCandless Jr.
Kanae’s bail is set at $1 million.
Police said McCandless drove past a group of males in an area known as “Monuments” at Haleiwa Beach Park with his two juvenile sons about 12:45 a.m. Saturday when he recognized one of the males, later identified as Kanae, as the same man that shot him in an altercation on May 15.
McCandless turned around, parked his vehicle at Monuments while his two sons stayed in the vehicle.
Police said he approached Kanae and shoved him. A fight broke out after Kanae allegedly punched McCandless and two unknown males jumped in and attacked McCandless.
Police said Kanae and the two others continued to assault McCandless after he fell to the ground.
One of McCandless’ sons exited the vehicle and allegedly saw Kanae pull a gun from his waistband, stand over McCandless and aim at his father’s chest.
Police said the son shut his eyes and heard a “loud noise.”
Court documents said McCandless’ son recognized Kanae from a photo he saw on social media months ago when “McCandless explained to him that Kanae was the person that had shot him earlier this year.”
The victim’s son called 911 and attempted to administer first aid to his father. McCandless was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital where he later died.
Kanae and his two companions fled in a gray Acura.
Police arrested Kanae in Wahiawa about 4:25 a.m. that morning.
Court records show he was free on bail at the time of the deadly shooting on a $50,000 bond in connection with a robbery in Waikiki.
Police said a male suspect later identified Kanae allegedly “pistol-whipped” a man with a .25 caliber handgun while another male held the victim in a chokehold at a parking lot on Lauula Street about 3:50 a.m. on Aug. 11.
Kanae and the other perpetrator demanded money. Police said the suspect who held the victim in a chokehold took his backpack, which contained about $800 in cash.
Officers immediately responded and arrested Kanae, Richard L. Fields and Terrence Legrande in the parking lot.
At the time of his arrest, police recovered a gun and small, clear plastic bags that appeared to contain marijuana and cocaine in Kanae’s possession.
Police recovered the backpack at the scene of the arrests.
An Oahu grand jury indicted Kanae on charges of first-degree robbery, promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree and two firearm-related charges.
The grand jury also indicted Richard L. Fields, 24, on a charge of first-degree robbery and Legrande, also 24, on a charge of second-degree theft and promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree.
The robbery trial for the three men is tentatively scheduled to be held in January at Circuit Court.
