Maui, Hawaii – Authorities have apprehended a man accused of violently attacking another individual with an aluminum baseball bat in a Target parking lot, an incident that has left the community in shock. The altercation took place last Friday night as the victim was departing the store with his girlfriend and her young child.
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, recounted the confrontation, which began around 8 p.m. He was exiting the store when a shirtless stranger approached him, clutching a bat and yelling, claiming that they had harmed his father. In an effort to safeguard her daughter, Kiana Bascon, the victim’s girlfriend, rushed to their vehicle. However, it was during this moment that the assailant allegedly initiated the attack.
A witness, who prefers to stay unnamed, provided a chilling account of the incident, describing how the attacker struck the victim repeatedly. “I saw him take out a white metal bat and start swinging,” the witness reported. “It was swift and brutal, with loud cracking sounds echoing in the parking lot before the assailant fled the scene.”
Law enforcement later identified the attacker as 32-year-old Gabriel Pangkee, who has a history of criminal offenses, including multiple prior convictions and a felony burglary charge from 2018. Following the attack, Pangkee was taken into custody and is facing charges of assault and damage to property.
The assault left the victim with significant injuries, including wounds to his head and severe damage to his hands, which may require surgical intervention. His girlfriend expressed deep concern about the financial burdens they now face, as the victim lacks health insurance. “The medical costs are going to be substantial,” she said. “His ability to work depends on his hands.”
Bascon is calling on Target to take accountability for the incident, emphasizing that the event occurred on their premises. “We hope they will enhance security measures because this shouldn’t happen to anyone,” she stated.
In response, a spokesperson for Target expressed concern for the victim and confirmed that safety measures for customers and employees are a top priority. They acknowledged the prompt actions of store staff and first responders during the incident, affirming their cooperation with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Pangkee is scheduled to appear in court on January 13, as authorities work to uncover further details surrounding this alarming event. The community remains on edge as residents grapple with the implications of such violence occurring in a public space.