HPD Investigates Second Officer-Involved Shooting in Hilo Within a Week

A man is dead and an officer is injured following an officer-involved shooting in Hilo this afternoon. This is the second such attack against a police officer within a week.

Friday’s incident occurred at 11:20 a.m. when Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Hilo patrol officers responded to a residential break-in at the 1800 block of Kīlauea Avenue.

“Officers entered the vacant home and hiding in one of the bedrooms was a man armed with two knives,” HPD stated in a press release this afternoon. “The unidentified male suspect cut an officer on the arm with one of the knives. Two of the responding officers fired shots from their duty weapons killing the suspect.”

The criminal investigation division and office of professional standards are on scene conducting an investigation as is standard protocol in such incidents.

The police closed a portion of Kīlauea Avenue between Puainako and Ohea Streets temporarily while they continue this investigation. As of 3:39 p.m., the road was open.

The injured officer was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment and is currently in stable condition.

“We ask for patience as we work through this critical incident and allow the investigators to do their jobs so that all the pieces of this terrible incident can be put together,” HPD stated. “Our thoughts are with the affected families at this time.”

This is the second fatal officer-involved shooting within a week. On June 13, officers shot and killed 34-year-old Ryan Yukiharu Santos after he opened fire on law enforcement.

Police ask anyone with information regarding Friday’s incident to call Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the Area I Criminal Investigations Section at 808-961-2378 or send an email to [email protected].