A 23-year-old suspect is in custody facing a murder charge after an afternoon shoplifting attempt at an Aloha Island Mart in Kalihi ended in the death of store clerk Celeste Gusman, Hawaii News Now reported.
A 3:20 p.m. Confrontation Over Stolen Beer
The confrontation unfolded around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday at the store located on North School Street. According to investigators and store personnel, the violence began when a man attempted to walk out of the establishment with stolen beer.
Gusman stepped in to stop the suspect from leaving with the merchandise. Coworker Jeremy Burks told Hawaii News Now that the confrontation turned fatal just outside the shop’s counter.
It was originally going to be a beer run. He wanted to walk out with beer. She tried to stop him and got stabbed,
Burks said. She got stabbed outside the countertop.
Chaos Inside the North School Street Market
One worker attempted to vault over the counter to aid Gusman and sustained a broken arm in the process. A third employee on duty managed to hit the panic button to summon law enforcement.
Emergency responders transported Gusman to a hospital with critical injuries. She did not survive, succumbing to her wounds.
Responding officers detained the 23-year-old suspect at the scene without further incident. He now faces formal murder charges as the investigation continues.
Mourning a Familiar Presence on the Morning Routine
Longtime customer Jack Tuimaseve stopped by the store every morning for coffee, a routine anchored by Gusman’s warm demeanor.
She welcomed every customer. She opened up with every customer, you know, very friendly,
Tuimaseve said, adding that he admired her presence and offered his prayers and condolences to her family while calling for broader community safety.
Colleague Mourns Loss as Family Launches Fund
Burks, who shared shifts with Gusman for six months, reflected on the sudden vacuum left by her death.
It feels like I lost my best friend and I wish her family the best,
he said.
Gusman’s family members established a GoFundMe campaign to help manage expenses following the sudden tragedy, remembering her as a dedicated worker possessing a heart of gold
who was taken far too soon.
