Dangerous Business

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 8:30 am, tragedy struck the Palm Villas Community and forever changed the lives of Phil Huth’s surviving wife, children, extended family, friends and residents!

While performing his duties as Resident Manager that morning and working to keep the neighborhood safe, Phil was tragically and needlessly gunned down in broad daylight by an unwanted visitor to the complex.

After hearing several gunshots, residents looked on in disbelief and horror upon realizing the victim of the shooting was our beloved Phil. Law enforcement and EMS failed to save him, and he was transported to Queens West, where he was pronounced dead due to his wounds.

Phil has been known and well-liked by many around the complex for the last 15 years. Known for his positive attitude, warm smile and friendly demeanor, Phil significantly impacted the living experience for all the neighborhood residents. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

A suspect has been charged with murder. Officials said 34-year-old Patrick Tuputala also faces firearm offense charges.

His bail is set at $1 million.

The shooting happened about 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Palm Villas townhouse complex.

Witnesses said they heard two men having an altercation before multiple gunshots went off.

Police said Tuputala allegedly shot the housing development’s resident manager in one of the complex’s parking stalls and fled the scene.

Sheriff Deputies from the Special Operations Section Fugitive Unit took Patrick Tuputala into custody at 7:10 p.m. on Puuloa Road near Nimitz Highway, according to a statement from the state Department of Public Safety.

The Sheriffs fugitive unit acted on tips, located Tuputala and convinced him to turn himself in. He was taken into Sheriff custody without incident, based on a police alert, according to the state.

“The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division wants to acknowledge the joint effort and close collaboration with our Honolulu Police partners to pursue tips, locate Tuputala and bring about a peaceful end to this search,” said ​State Sheriff William Oku Jr., in a statement.

Deputies transported Tuputala to the Sheriff Division Keawe Street booking and receiving station for holding where was turned over to HPD, according to the release.

A go fund me account has been set up: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-in-ewa-beach-please-help-the-family