A 21-year-old Kansas man now faces attempted murder charges after a violent incident during a snorkeling tour off the Kona coast. Authorities arrested Avery Nissen on Thursday, April 16, following the attack aboard a fishing vessel.
The incident unfolded during a three-hour tour. According to People, 62-year-old boat captain Stan Lurbiecki took Nissen, his mother and a sibling on the excursion. While the mother and sibling entered the water to snorkel, Nissen remained on the boat. After the snorkeling portion ended, Lurbiecki, a longtime boating professional, began steering the vessel back toward the harbor.
The situation escalated about 30 minutes before reaching shore. Lurbiecki said Nissen grabbed a 10-inch fillet knife from the boat’s galley and attacked him without warning. The captain described the incident as “like the most random, wildest, craziest thing you’ll ever hear of,” highlighting how quickly a routine outing turned dangerous.
Passengers step in to stop attack
Other passengers acted quickly and restrained Nissen during the assault, likely preventing further harm. Officers were waiting when the vessel reached Honokōhau Harbor at 3:21 p.m. Thursday.
Lurbiecki suffered serious injuries. Police said he sustained a stab wound to the lower abdomen along with multiple cuts to his head and hands. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Lurbiecki said he required several blood transfusions as part of his treatment.
Charges and court appearance
Nissen is being held on $1.57 million bail. He faces charges including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault. Authorities have not identified a motive.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 20. It remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation.
The incident underscores how quickly situations at sea can escalate. The actions of fellow passengers played a critical role in preventing further violence. As the case moves forward, attention remains on the captain’s recovery and the legal proceedings that may reveal more about what led to the attack.
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