MAUI, Hawaii — A man was arrested following a violent incident in a Target parking lot, where he allegedly attacked another man with an aluminum bat. The altercation occurred last Friday evening as the victim, accompanied by his girlfriend and her young daughter, was leaving the store.
Witnesses recounted the chaotic moments leading up to the attack. Kiana Bascon, the victim’s girlfriend, described a man with his shirt off, yelling that the victim had “killed his dad” while brandishing a baseball bat. In an instinctive reaction, she rushed to her vehicle to ensure her daughter’s safety, during which the assailant struck Bascon’s boyfriend.
A bystander who observed the scene detailed the rapid succession of blows delivered by the attacker. “It happened very fast,” the witness said. “The guy was hitting him with the bat hard, probably six or eight times before he ran off.”
Authorities later identified the assailant as 32-year-old Gabriel Pangkee. He was arrested and is now facing multiple charges, including assault and criminal property damage. Pangkee has a significant criminal history with nine prior convictions, including a burglary felony in 2018.
The victim suffered serious injuries to his head and hands, necessitating surgery, but he doesn’t have health insurance to cover the medical expenses. “It’s going to be a lot of money with all the hospital bills and recovery,” Bascon said, emphasizing the toll it will take on their lives.
In light of the incident, Bascon is urging Target to enhance security on their premises. “They need to take responsibility because this happened on their property,” she said.
A spokesperson for Target issued a statement affirming the company’s commitment to guest safety. They expressed concern for the victim and gratitude for the quick response from team members and first responders. The spokesperson added that they would assist law enforcement with the ongoing investigation.
Pangkee is scheduled to appear in court on January 13, as the community works to process this disturbing event.