Murder trial opens in 2022 Chinatown bus stop shooting

May 8, 2026

Summary

Prosecutors and defense began presenting evidence in Samuel Carter’s trial in the 2022 killing of Alize Agresor-Ayala.

Why this matters

The trial will determine criminal responsibility in a 2022 fatal shooting in Honolulu’s Chinatown. It also tests how prosecutors and defense use forensic evidence, including newer DNA analysis, when other evidence is limited.

Samuel Carter, also known as Tony Johnson, went on trial this week in the Aug. 19, 2022, death of Alize Agresor-Ayala, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who was sitting at a Chinatown bus stop.

Carter, 62, was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, unlawful ownership or possession of a firearm, and two counts of carrying a firearm in the commission of a separate felony.

According to police reports and court documents, Agresor-Ayala was arguing with family friend Michael Yonenaga when her husband, Manuel Thomas, approached. After the argument ended, Carter, who knew Agresor-Ayala, came up from behind Yonenaga and fired one shot, according to police. Authorities said the shot struck Agresor-Ayala in the head and nearly hit Yonenaga, leading to the attempted murder charge.

Testimony Wednesday showed that a bullet fragment was recovered from Agresor-Ayala’s head and a bullet from her neck during an autopsy. Police had initially reported she suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Defense attorney Aaron Wills said he intended to argue that the state had not proved identification, intent, and other elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Honolulu police criminalist testified that 2022 testing found DNA on a spent cartridge casing recovered on North Hotel Street, but comparing it with Carter’s cheek swab was inconclusive under the methods then in use.

A later method, called STRmix analysis, found the DNA profile on the casing was very likely Carter’s.

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Murder trial opens in 2022 Chinatown bus stop shooting

Prosecutors and defense began presenting evidence in Samuel Carter’s trial in the 2022 killing of Alize Agresor-Ayala.

Full story +

Samuel Carter, also known as Tony Johnson, went on trial this week in the Aug. 19, 2022, death of Alize Agresor-Ayala, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who was sitting at a Chinatown bus stop.

Carter, 62, was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, unlawful ownership or possession of a firearm, and two counts of carrying a firearm in the commission of a separate felony.

According to police reports and court documents, Agresor-Ayala was arguing with family friend Michael Yonenaga when her husband, Manuel Thomas, approached. After the argument ended, Carter, who knew Agresor-Ayala, came up from behind Yonenaga and fired one shot, according to police. Authorities said the shot struck Agresor-Ayala in the head and nearly hit Yonenaga, leading to the attempted murder charge.

Testimony Wednesday showed that a bullet fragment was recovered from Agresor-Ayala’s head and a bullet from her neck during an autopsy. Police had initially reported she suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Defense attorney Aaron Wills said he intended to argue that the state had not proved identification, intent, and other elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Honolulu police criminalist testified that 2022 testing found DNA on a spent cartridge casing recovered on North Hotel Street, but comparing it with Carter’s cheek swab was inconclusive under the methods then in use.

A later method, called STRmix analysis, found the DNA profile on the casing was very likely Carter’s.
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