LIHU’E — A Lihu‘e man has been arrested for his involvement with homicide suspect Chris Santos following a fatal shooting last month.
Brandon-Joy Rivera Calzada, 36, was reported by the Kaua‘i Police Department on Oct. 27 to have been arrested on charges, including assisting Santos in avoiding prosecution and keeping firearms in a prohibited place.
The incident surrounds Santos, 48, who is facing charges for the fatal shooting of Kith Silva-Lacro, 28, of Kalaheo, on Thursday, Sept. 7, as well as the attempted murder of Allanah Kamahana that same day.
Santos was eventually taken into custody on the evening of Sept. 17, following a multiagency manhunt that ended in an officer-involved shooting in the vicinity of Kekaha Beach Park.
No officers were injured in the incident and Santos was later transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment.
Santos was indicted on a total of five charges: attempted murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and the prohibited possession of any firearm or ammunition due to his previous convictions.
Santos has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1994, which includes five prior felony convictions.
Calzada appears to have assisted Santos in the aftermath of the incident, as he was arrested on five separate charges: place to keep unloaded firearms, place to keep pistol or revolver, possession of a prohibited weapon or device, hindering prosecution in the first-degree, and place to keep firearm ammunition.
These charges are all class C felonies, except for “place to keep firearm ammunition,” which is a misdemeanor. Class C felonies carry a minimum prison sentence of one year and a maximum of five years.
During the manhunt for Santos, the police department said they had received reports of different individuals providing transportation for Santos.
That prompted them to remind the public that assisting a suspect in crimes is unlawful and punishable by up to five years in prison.
“The Kaua‘i Police Department and our federal counterparts remain steadfast in our commitment to actively investigate this case and seek all who aided Chris Santos,” said Kaua‘i Police Chief Todd Raybuck in a statement following Calzada’s arrest.
“We will continue to pursue any and all leads as the investigation remains open and ongoing.”
U.S. Marshal William Jessup said the “operation is not over,” following Calzada’s arrest.
“The U.S. Marshals Task Force made a promise to the people of Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i Police Department; we will utilize every resource necessary to support KPD’s investigations to apprehend all individuals who helped and aided Mr. Santos while on the run,” said Jessup in a statement.
“The arrest of Mr. Calzada is a message to those other individuals who aided Mr. Santos and are still out there; be assured we’re coming for you,” he said.
Calzada is currently being held on bail at Kauai Community Correctional Center, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.
Santos is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. for a pretrial conference, according to court records. His jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024, at 9 a.m.
