Hawaii drug turf battle blamed in Nanakuli shooting
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two men have been arrested and police are looking for a third in connection with a brazen shooting Wednesday at a Nanakuli townhouse that police said was sparked by a dispute over drug dealing.
George Ferreira III, 49, and David K. Delima, 60, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Wednesday after they allegedly opened fire on a home on Helelua Street where a 27-year-old man lives with his mother, police said.
No one was injured, police said.
Ferreira has been convicted of felony escape, theft and drug offenses. Delima has 10 convictions that include assault and abusing family members, and was wanted on six outstanding warrants totaling $1,575.
Police said the shooting arose out of a turf battle involving Leeward Coast drug dealers. Area residents say gunplay is rare but that violence in the area is not.
"We know there is a lot of drug distribution coming out of there but the Helelua Neighborhood Association has been trying to clean it up for eight years. It's just a (housing) project area and the roughnecks are in the area," said Patty Teruya, chairwoman of the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board. "I've lived near Helelua Street for 45 years and I don't go into that area. People here know that if you don't have business back there, then don't go back there."
On Wednesday, two men arrived at the home in a black El Camino about 4:15 p.m. and called out to the occupants.
A 39-year-old man emerged from the house and the men in the car started shooting, police said. The man ran back into the house, then tried to escape through the backyard, police said.
A 27-year-old man — who told police he was sleeping when the gunmen showed up — walked into his backyard in time to see the 39-year-old man running away. The two men allegedly saw the 27-year-old man and started shooting at him, police said.
The two men from the car ran after the 27-year-old and opened fire in the backyard of the home before getting back into the El Camino and driving away.
Police were looking to question the 39-year-old about the shooting but have been unable to locate him.
The 27-year-old man told police he doesn't know who the men who shot at him are or why they would want to shoot him or the other man, police said.
Officers recovered two spent shells at the scene but officers believe more than two shots were fired.
Advertiser staff writer Rod Ohira contributed to this report.Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
