Miguel Agoo Jr. was a 17-year-old male from Waiʻanae, described by his family as a "good kid" with a "very loving heart." The youngest of eight siblings, he loved fishing, riding bikes, and fixing things. His sister remembered him as someone who always made sure his family was alright and had a bright future ahead of him.
In the early hours of May 21, 2023, that future was cut short by violence at Māʻkaha Beach Park. Police responded to reports of gunfire around 1 a.m.
and found Miguel on the pavement, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators learned the shooting followed an argument. Court records later noted that Miguel was found with a gun in his hand, and witnesses gave conflicting accounts of who fired first. Some reports suggested the confrontation was preceded by talk of rival gangs.
The investigation quickly led to two main suspects. Police arrested a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man, Waylen K. Armstrong-Kea. Investigators said the suspects fled in a white Ford Focus, which was found burning hours later near the end of Waianae Valley Road. Authorities alleged Armstrong-Kea, in addition to shooting Miguel, had set the car on fire. A 16-year-old girl suspected of driving the getaway car was also arrested but later released pending investigation, while an 18-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly hindering prosecution.
Prosecutors successfully petitioned to have the 16-year-old suspect, identified as Branston Medeiros, tried as an adult. He was charged with second-degree murder and firearms offenses, with bail set at $750,000. Armstrong-Kea was indicted on charges including second-degree murder, kidnapping, fourth-degree arson, and firearms offenses, and his bail was set at $2 million. Both Medeiros and Armstrong-Kea pleaded not guilty. Medeiros’s defense raised a claim of self-defense, while Armstrong-Kea’s trial was scheduled to proceed separately.
While the case against Armstrong-Kea was still pending, the prosecution of Branston Medeiros concluded. On December 4, 2025, Medeiros was sentenced as an adult to 20 years in prison for the murder of Miguel Agoo Jr.
Miguel’s death deeply affected the Waiʻanae community, amplifying calls for action against youth gun violence. At town hall meetings, his father, Miguel Agoo Sr., pleaded with officials to address how easily young people were getting guns. "We got to keep that aloha spirit alive," he said. "We got to train up our kids to do the right thing." As of Medeiros's sentencing in December 2025, one of the men responsible for Miguel's death had been held accountable.
