Police Identify Suspect Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting

Scottie Yanagawa. HPD file photo.

The Hawai’i Police Department has identified the man involved in a shoot-out with police Tuesday night in Hilo as 29-year-old Scottie Yanagawa of Hilo.

Yanagawa was wanted in November as an escapee from Hale Nani Correctional Facility.

On Feb. 8, he was linked to a shooting that occurred in the Honoli’i Lookout area. Police issued the alert noting that he was “wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting in the Honoliʻi area on January 31.”

Yanagawa was listed as armed and dangerous.

On Tuesday night at about 10:40 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop of a Toyota mini-van. The vehicle was known to be operated by Yanagawa.

Officers reportedly commanded that both Yanagawa and a female driver, identified as 30-year-old Kaiini Febo Santiago of Pahoa, to exit the vehicle.

According to Police, Yanagawa was armed with a handgun and discharged a round. Officers discharged their firearms, fatally injuring Yanagawa.

Santiago is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation.