A shocking incident unfolded during a snorkeling tour in Hawaii, as a Kansas man allegedly attempted to murder the boat captain. Local authorities have reported the startling details of the attack.
Hawai‘i Island police have charged 21-year-old Avery Nissen, hailing from Overland Park, Kansas, with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault. The charges stem from an alleged stabbing attack on Thursday, which occurred during a three-hour snorkeling excursion.
The victim, identified as 62-year-old Stanley Lurbiecki, is a seasoned professional in the boating industry. During the attack, Lurbiecki suffered multiple stab wounds to his head and hands, along with a significant injury to his lower abdomen. Fortunately, he was swiftly taken to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The alarming incident took place at the Honokōhau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, with police responding to the scene at 3:21 p.m. on Thursday. According to officials, fellow passengers on the boat acted quickly to restrain Nissen after he allegedly initiated the attack using a filet knife.
As the investigation continues, authorities have yet to determine a motive behind the alleged assault. The community remains on edge as they await further developments in this unsettling case.
Officials said other passengers onboard the boat restrained Nissen after he allegedly began attacking the man with a filet knife. Police said a motive for the alleged attack isn’t known.
The small boat marina and harbor at Honokohau is viewed on Dec. 16, 2016, in this aerial photo taken over Kailua Bay, Hawaii. Hawaii, the largest of all the Hawaiian Islands at 4,000 square miles, features active volcanoes, large cattle ranches, unusual flora and fauna, waterfalls, rainforests, and occasionally, snowcapped mountains. (George Rose/Getty Images)
According to the report, the incident happened on a catamaran owned by Hawaii Nautical, a boat tour company.
Mark Towill, owner and president of Hawaii Nautical, told the outlet that, “Stan is stable, he’s recovering. He’s a real hero and a fighter.”
People kayak near Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. (Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“I’m just incredibly grateful that our team is safe and that the situation ended the way it did,” Towill said. “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in this industry before, and just really grateful to all of our team for the way that they reacted, the professionalism that was demonstrated.”
Bail for Nissen was set at $1.57 million, and he’s expected in court on Monday afternoon.
