Charges upheld for man accused of shooting another’s tire

Judge reduces bail to $100,000 for Charles Spencer

WAILUKU — Felony charges were upheld Monday against a man who was arrested after allegedly shooting a tire on another man’s car following a confrontation on a road in Waihee last month.

Charles Spencer, 27, is charged with first-degree criminal property damage, carrying a loaded firearm on a public highway, first-degree terroristic threatening and first-degree reckless endangering.

The shooting occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 14 after Waihee resident George Silva said he “clicked mirrors” with another car at a stop sign on Halewaiu Road.

Testifying Monday at a preliminary hearing for Spencer in Wailuku District Court, Silva said he asked the other driver, identified as Spencer, if everybody was all right.

“He said that I wen’ smash his car and then I told him, ‘You was in my lane too,’ ” Silva said.

He said Spencer got out of his car while Silva stayed in his car. “And then he put his hand in my face, so I wen’ shove his hand away,” Silva said.

He said he felt cold metal against his face and Spencer said, “Don’t touch my effing gun.”

After that, Silva said he thought Spencer was going back to his car. As Silva watched in his mirror, he said Spencer went to the back of Silva’s car, cocked the gun and shot the back tire.

Then Spencer fired a second shot, Silva said. “I thought he was trying to aim for my second tire,” he said.

Both men left, with Silva driving about 200 yards to go home.

Police Crime Reduction Unit officer Chad Kusunoki testified that a check showed Spencer doesn’t have a firearm registered to him.

Judge Kirstin Hamman ruled there was probable cause to support all four charges against Spencer, who was arrested Nov. 23.

Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae asked for bail to be reduced from $250,000 to $30,000 for Spencer.

Deputy Prosecutor Brant Yoshimoto asked for bail to remain at the higher amount for Spencer. “He did point a gun, a loaded weapon, directly at (Silva),” Yoshimoto said. “He did fire two shots at his car.”

Spencer has a prior convictions for felony abuse and pending drug charges, Yoshimoto said.

Hamman reduced bail to $100,000.

Spencer is set to be arraigned Dec. 9 in 2nd Circuit Court.