Suspect in Friday Officer-Involved Shooting Armed With Machete, Police Say

Authorities confirm the suspect in Friday’s fatal officer-involved shooting was armed with a machete and knife when he reportedly attacked officers in a Hilo residence.

The man was fatally shot by two Hawai‘i Police officers after he stabbed a third responding officer in the forearm, leaving a “good size laceration,” Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins said. The officer has since been treated and is in stable condition.

This is Hawai‘i County’s second fatal officer-involved shooting within a week, the first occurring on June 13, after officers shot and killed 34-year-old Ryan Yukiharu Santos after he opened fire on law enforcement.

The events on Friday, June 18, began when HPD’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 Friday, June 18. “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.”

Mayor Mitch Roth issued a statement following the shooting.

“The events that took place this week are extremely rare and stark reminders of the threats that each officer faces when they step out their door and away from their families every day,” Roth stated. “On both occasions, officers were attacked and their lives threatened. On both occasions, officers secured the scene and did what was necessary to protect themselves and neighboring community members from harm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, as we know no loss of life goes without grief.”

Roth went on to state, “As we move forward from tragedy, I ask that we remember that we are all one ʻohana and that by building stronger, healthier, and happier communities, we can hope to avoid tribulations such as these in the future.”

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