FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2024

Mahkwan & Cameron indicted in alleged murder for hire plot

HONOLULU, HI – An O‛ahu grand jury indicted Paul Cameron, 22, and Sebastian Mahkwan, 30, today in an alleged murder for hire plot that could land both men in prison for the rest of their lives. The plot is alleged to have taken shape while the two men were incarcerated at O‛ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and culminated with Mahkwan attacking an innocent passerby with acid on a sidewalk near Ala Moana Center on January 23, 2024.

Cameron was incarcerated at OCCC after being indicted in April, 2023 on charges including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for allegedly attacking a woman with acid in a Mililani parking lot.

Mahkwan was incarcerated at OCCC awaiting trial on drug and assault charges.

The indictment alleges that while at OCCC, Cameron authored documents detailing how to commit an acid attack including where to get acid. The indictment alleges Camron spoke to Mahkwan “about a planned acid attack that would assist Cameron in his pending case.”

According to the indictment, Cameron then arranged for someone on the outside to give the title and keys to his motorcycle to a bail bondsman as collateral for Mahkwan’s bail.

On January 23, 2024, after being released on bail, Mahkwan is alleged to have doused 25-year-old Danying Zhang with acid while she walked alone near Ala Moana Center. Zhang suffered severe burns to her face and body.

Mahkwan was indicted for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree on January 30, 2024.

Today’s superseding indictment adds to Mahkwan’s original charges and presents Cameron with a new set of charges on top of the charges he faces for the acid attack in Mililani.

“A great deal of credit goes to the HPD Homicide Detail of the Criminal Investigation Division which worked with the Investigators and Deputy Prosecutors in our office collecting the evidence that led to the indictment,” said Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm. “The indictment details a diabolical plot that resulted in a complete stranger – an innocent woman – being gravely wounded.”

Cameron and Mahkwan are both charged with Conspiracy to Commit Attempted Murder in the First Degree and/or Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and/or Assault in the First Degree.

Cameron is also charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Accomplice to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and Accomplice to Assault in the First Degree.

Mahkwan is also charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and Assault in the First Degree.

Attempted Murder in the First Degree carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Cameron and Mahkwan are being held without bail. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Media Contact:
Brooks Baehr
Executive Assistant – Communications & Community Affairs
Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
City & County of Honolulu
1060 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-768-6472
Email: [email protected]