Suspect in Puna terroristic threatening case dies following officer-involved shooting in Hawaiian Paradise Park

A 30-year-old man is dead and Big Island police are investigating an officer-involved shooting following a Sept. 22 domestic incident in Puna.

Puna patrol officers responded at about 11:45 p.m. Friday to a report of a domestic argument between two brothers, one of whom was armed with a handgun, at a residence on 34th Avenue in Orchidland Estates. When officers arrived, the 30-year-old armed brother fled on foot.

Officers were unable to locate him and issued an all-points bulletin. The suspect was identified and the incident classified as a first-degree terroristic threatening case. Officers also confirmed that the suspect had an active confirmed bench warrant for his arrest.

Overnight, Puna police officers continued searching for the man but were still unable to locate him.

At about 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23, officers received information about the suspect’s possible whereabouts and responded to a house on the dead-end side of 26th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park. When the officers arrived, noises could be heard coming from inside.

Officers announced their presence and ordered the man to come outside and surrender. The suspect then fled from the back of the house and ran into a heavily wooded vacant neighboring property on 27th Avenue.

As he ran, officers ordered him to stop, but the suspect continued running through the woods. As four officers chased him, the man turned and fired the handgun at them. Fearing for their lives, the officers took cover in the brush and shouted commands for the suspect to surrender.

The suspect suddenly emerged from the brush and again began firing at the officers. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect.

Officers attempted first-aid at the scene; however, the man succumbed to his injuries and died. Neither the officers nor any bystanders were injured.

Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Detectives from the Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing are investigating the officer-involved shooting as detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section were involved.

As is standard practice, the Office of Professional Standards is reviewing the incident.

The personnel involved include a detective with 17 years of service, a second detective with 11 years of service and two officers with five years and one year of service. They were all placed on administrative leave.

Anyone who might have witnessed the incident is asked to call the Police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or contact Detective Donovan Kohara of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 238, or via email at Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.