Hawaiʻi Police Department
Major Randy Apele
Area I Operations Bureau
Phone: 961-2356
Report No. C16004167
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday night (February 9) at a shopping center located off Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo.
At approximately 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, police initiated a traffic stop of a Toyota mini-van known to be operated by a sought-after fugitive who was known to be armed and dangerous. The occupants of the vehicle, a female driver and male front-seat passenger, were commanded to exit the vehicle. The male passenger, while exiting the passenger side of the vehicle was armed with a handgun and discharged a round. Officers discharged their firearms, fatally injuring the passenger.
The female driver of the vehicle, identified as 30-year-old Kaiini Febo Santiago of Pāhoa, was uninjured and arrested at the scene on suspicion of hindering prosecution for having aiding a wanted fugitive. She is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation.
The identity of the suspect is being withheld at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
The officers who fired their weapons have 14, 12, 7 and 6 years of experience with law enforcement.
As is standard practice in any police involved shooting, the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigations Section will conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an administrative investigation.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Joel Field at 961-2361.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.