A 19-year-old Kalihi man turned himself into police tonight for questioning about Monday's early morning fatal shooting at Ala Moana Beach Park.

Christopher Alesna showed up at the police headquarters building at about 9:30 p.m. with Filipino community leader Erwin Gabrillo and State Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th (Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley-Fort Shafter). Detectives Gary Lahens and John Asing took custody of Alesna.

Gabrillo told The Advertiser Alesna's mother called him at about 4 p.m. and said police were looking for her son in connection with the Ala Moana shooting. Khaynava Phanthanouvong, 18, of Kalihi died after being shot in the chest and near the ear during a 2:30 a.m. confrontation.

"I advised her the best way was for him to turn himself in," Gabrillo said.

Alesna's mother called at about 6:30 p.m. to say her son had agreed to surrender to police, Gabrillo said.

Gabrillo contacted his close friend, Mizuno, and asked him to accompany he and Alesna to the police station.

"I think it'as better for him, he wants to clear his name and show he's not running from the law," Gabrillo said of Alesna.

Mizuno agreed.

"It was very good on Chris' part that he turned himself in," Mizuno said. "It will help shepherd this down the right path. Had he stayed out longer, it could have been more violent."

They arrived at the police building unannounced and Mizuno asked Officer David Young, "If you're turning yourself in, where do you go?' Young asked him what is it for and was told the Ala Moana shooting.

Asing, who happened to be in the area, notified his Criminal Investigation Division supervisor.

Gabrillo and Mizuno both said they did not discuss details of the shooting with Alesna.

Police had identified Alesna as a suspect and were looking for him since yesterday.

According to police, Phanthanouvong was partying with friends when he received a cellphone call late Sunday night from someone inviting him to fight at Ala Moana Park. A large group was present when Phanthanouvong and the suspect began exchanging words.

Phanthanouvong was shot during the fight. A companion, 19, was beaten with a bat.

Phanthanouvong moved from the North Shore to Texas and returned to O'ahu about a month ago and was living in Kalihi, police said.