An Oahu grand jury indicted two men Wednesday for separate chemical attacks in an alleged murder-for-hire plot. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Honolulu Police Department linked the chemical attacks after discovering 22-year-old Paul Cameron and 30-year-old Sebastian Mahkwan were in the same module at Oahu Community Correctional Center

  • Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deanna Thoemmes described a murder-for-hire plot, with Cameron allegedly hiring Mahkwan to attack an innocent bystander with acid in January in order to cast doubt on his role in a similar acid attack last year in April

  • While both men were at OCCC, Cameron instructed Mahkwan on how to carry out an acid attack on a random person with a handwritten note, which included information about where to get acid

  • In exchange, Cameron arranged bail for Mahkwan

The Honolulu Police Department linked the chemical attacks after discovering 22-year-old Paul Cameron and 30-year-old Sebastian Mahkwan were in the same module at Oahu Community Correctional Center, according to Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deanna Thoemmes, who spoke at a news conference Tuesday. 

Thoemmes described a murder-for-hire plot, with Cameron allegedly hiring Mahkwan to attack an innocent bystander with acid in January in order to cast doubt on his role in a similar acid attack last year in April. 

In April 2023, a woman in Mililani reported a man allegedly pointed a firearm and then threw a liquid that caused her skin and clothes to burn. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition with severe burns. After two weeks, investigators arrested Cameron, the ex-boyfriend of the victim, and charged him with attempted murder in the second degree.  

While awaiting trial, Cameron was being held at OCCC, where he befriended Mahkwan, who was awaiting trial for drug and assault charges. He instructed Mahkwan on how to carry out an acid attack on a random person with a handwritten note, which included information about where to get acid. 

“The purpose of the random attack was to cast doubt on Cameron as a suspect in the Mililani attack,” said Thoemmes.

In exchange, Cameron arranged bail for Mahkwan. According to the indictment, Cameron got someone on the outside to give the title and keys to his motorcycle to a bail bondsman as collateral for Mahkwan’s bail, who was subsequently released from OCCC.

While on bail, on Jan. 23, 2024, Mahkwan threw acid on 25-year-old Danying Zhang, who was walking near Ala Moana Center, causing severe burns on her face and body. 

Investigators believe both men used sulfuric acid, according to Thoemmes.

On Jan. 30, 2024, Mahkwan was indicted for attempted murder in the second degree and assault in the first degree. 

On Tuesday, an Oahu grand jury indicted both men for additional charges related to the murder-for-hire plot. Both men were indicted for 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. 

“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 in a statement. “The indictment details a diabolical plot that resulted in a complete stranger — an innocent woman — being gravely wounded.”

Both men are being held at OCCC without bail. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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