Manhunt ends for Kauaʻi murder suspect in water behind Kapaʻa Public Libary; Billy Sinclair taken into custody

A more than 2-day manhunt on Kauaʻi for a murder suspect ended around 9:53 a.m. Monday, when police surrounded William “Billy” Sinclair by boat and Jet Ski while he floated in rough waters offshore of the Kapaʻa Public Library.

Police took him into custody.

For more than an hour, Sinclair had been in the water while police watched from the shoreline and waited for the boat and Jet Ski to arrive. It took about a half hour to finally detain him.

During that time police flew a drone above him and even sent him a yellow float device.

The public is advised to continue to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to work safely and efficiently, although a few onlookers have been watching the event unfold from behind police tape.

Updates will be provided as information becomes available.

The Kauaʻi Police Department sent out an alert via email to Kauaʻi Now on Sunday evening that wanted murder suspect William “Billy” Sinclair was believed to have ditched a motorcycle and was on foot in the Waipouli-Kapaʻa business area.

“Residents and visitors in the area are asked to shelter in place while officers conduct search operations,” police said in the email Sunday night. “Do not approach the individual.”

Sinclair, a resident of Kīlauea, is 5-foot-9 with a medium build, brown eyes and black hair. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

He is wanted in connection with an early morning homicide Saturday in Hanalei and a separate shooting incident just a few hours later in Kīlauea.

On Sunday afternoon, police provided more information that Sinclair was last seen riding a black, low-rider Harley-Davidson bearing Hawai‘i license plate 596-XPC. He was last observed in Kapaʻa wearing a black leather vest with blue lettering on the chest, a blue and black face covering, and carrying a brown and black backpack.

The Kauaʻi Police Department reminds the public that anyone who helps Sinclair avoid arrest may face prosecution for hindering prosecution in the first degree, punishable by up to five years in prison. Assistance includes transportation, money, shelter, weapons, disguise or any means of evading law enforcement.

On Saturday at about 12:50 a.m., officers responded to a report of a suspicious death in Hanalei. During the course of the investigation, the victim’s death was determined to be a homicide.

Police were then dispatched at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday to reports of gunshots in the Kīlauea area. Officers learned a Kīlauea resident sustained minor injuries after being grazed by a bullet and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Sinclair was identified as a person of interest in both investigations.

On Saturday just before 8:30 a.m., Kīlauea Road, between between Kolo Road and Kaikala Street, was closed and nearby residents evacuated as officers searched the neighborhood. The roads were reopened and residents allowed to return home as of about 6:15 p.m., nearly 10 hours later.

The Kauaʻi Police Department said it is utilizing all available resources to locate and apprehend Sinclair. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact KPD Dispatch at (808) 241-1711.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, submit a tip at crimestopperskauai.org, or use the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips Mobile App. Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i is a non-profit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to an arrest.