Former mixed martial arts champion BJ Penn was arrested and charged with third-degree assault stemming from an incident that occurred early Tuesday morning in Hilo. Police responded to a disturbance reported at a residence on Kanoa Street at about 1 a.m., where a 45-year-old male victim alleged that Penn struck him multiple times, both punching and kicking him. Following the incident, the victim sought medical attention at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
Later in the day, law enforcement located Penn on Lehua Street and arrested him without any complications. His bail was set at $1,000, which he posted shortly after his arrest. Penn is scheduled for his initial court appearance on December 2 at 1 p.m. in Hilo District Court.
This arrest is part of a troubling pattern for Penn, who has faced multiple arrests in recent months, frequently related to alleged breaches of court orders connected to an ongoing family dispute. Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information about the incident to reach out to Officer Chester Franco of South Hilo Patrol at (808) 935-3311 or via email.
While the situation remains serious, there remains hope that with appropriate support and intervention, both Penn and the affected parties can move towards resolution and healing in the future.