Murdered Wahiawa man remembered as ‘such a great individual’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Loved ones of a 23-year-old Oahu man who was shot and killed over the weekend are remembering him as a gifted athlete with a kind heart.

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Jashawn Wakefield, a roofer from Wahiawa, was fatally shot at around 5 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Keeaumoku Street and Kapiolani Boulevard. The suspect, 37-year-old Detor Sirom, had his first court appearance Thursday.

Essence Wakefield is at a loss for words as she tries to process the death of her younger brother, whom she endearingly called “Shawn.”

“I don’t even have words to even describe what I could start to say, so, no words at this time,” Wakefield said. “This is the last thing I expected to get the call of, it didn’t cross my mind that something had happened to him, so I was just shocked.”

Wakefield is especially surprised anyone would think of taking her brother’s life because of the kind of person she said he was.

“Just a fun, free-spirited, smiley person, just caring and loving, that’s all I could say,” Wakefield described.

Duke Roberts, a childhood friend and classmate of Shawn’s from Leilehua High School, shared the same sentiment.

“Such a great kid, such a great individual, had nothing ever going against him, very supportive of his sister, very supportive of his family, always trying to take care of them too, was a really great football athlete,” Roberts said.

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Roberts lives across the street from the Punchbowl home where Sirom was arrested Monday.

Hawaii News Now captured exclusive video of the moments the 37-year-old was taken into custody.

Wakefield was unsure whether her brother knew Sirom, adding, “I don’t know anything about the situation or if they knew each other, I don’t know, I have no idea.”

Sirom was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and place to keep pistol on Wednesday. He is being held on $1 million bail.

The 37-year-old’s attorney waived a reading of the charges, as he sat silently with a Chuukese language interpreter standing by his side.

Wakefield tried to muster words for her brother’s alleged killer.

“What can you say? Was it worth it? I’m just happy he’s not outside to hurt anyone else. I hope justice will get served,” Wakefield said.

A GoFundMe to help Wakefield and her family with Shawn’s funeral expenses has raised thousands of dollars so far.

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Sirom’s preliminary hearing is set for Monday.