Celeste Gusman fatally stabbed during beer theft in Kalihi

Celeste Gusman was working her shift at the Aloha Island Mart on North School Street in Kalihi this past Wednesday when a routine afternoon took a violent, irreversible turn. According to a report by Hawaii News Now, the store clerk was fatally stabbed while attempting to prevent a man from stealing beer from the premises.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. Witness accounts provided by coworker Jeremy Burks describe a chaotic scene that unfolded when the suspect attempted to leave the store with the merchandise. Gusman intervened to stop the theft and was stabbed outside the countertop. In the ensuing struggle, a second employee suffered a broken arm while attempting to jump the counter to assist her, while a third worker managed to trigger the emergency alarm to alert authorities.

Gusman was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries but later succumbed to them. Police arrested the 23-year-old suspect at the scene, and he is currently facing a murder charge.

‘I lost my best friend’: Beloved store clerk identified as Kalihi stabbing victim

A Community Loss in Kalihi

For the regulars who frequented the Aloha Island Mart, Gusman was more than just a clerk; she was a fixture of their morning routines. Jack Tuimaseve, a longtime customer who stopped by the store daily for coffee, remembered her as a friendly presence who consistently greeted him with a smile. “She welcomed every customer. She opened up with every customer, you know, very friendly,” Tuimaseve said. “I admire her as a family member. She’s a very nice lady.”

Her colleagues are reeling from the sudden loss. Jeremy Burks, who had worked alongside Gusman for six months, expressed the depth of their bond, stating, “It feels like I lost my best friend and I wish her family the best.”

Gusman’s family, who identified her on a GoFundMe page established to assist with funeral and related expenses, described her as a devoted worker with a “heart of gold.” They noted that she was “taken far too soon, leaving behind a family and countless loved ones who will forever feel the emptiness of her absence.”