HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
ASSISTANT CHIEF WENDELL PAIVA
PHONE: 961-2346
DECEMBER 22, 2001
MEDIA RELEASE
Criminal Investigation Section detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred shortly before 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2001, at Kupono Street, Leilani Estates Subdivision, Puna, Hawaii.
The shooting occurred when Puna Patrol officers responded to a disturbance call at a residence located at Kupono Street. Upon arrival at the residence police observed a male, later identified as a resident of the Kupono Street house, armed with a military type dagger. The male was observed to have been attacking another male and was ordered by a police officer to drop the weapon.
The male disregarded the officer’s command and was observed slashing the knife at the other male person. The officer then shot the male holding the knife. The male suspect as tentatively identified as a 39-year-old male who resided at the Kupono Street, residence.
He was transported to the Hilo Medical Center by Fire Department Paramedics and was later pronounced dead.
Criminal Investigation Section detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the disturbance which caused officers to respond to the location as well as the circumstances of the shooting. Internal Affairs personnel are also conducting an administrative investigation in the facts of the shooting.
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