Suspect Killed By Police During Standoff Had Picked Up Unattended HPD Rifle
The death is the first civilian casualty by HPD gunfire in 2023.
A man was shot dead after a two-hour barricade by Honolulu police officers after picking up an unattended HPD weapon from an adjoining house where officers had been deployed.
Three officers – two SWAT officers and one 3rd district patrol officer – fired on the suspect while he held the rifle. He was pronounced dead at the scene and no other injuries were reported. The three officers were placed on administrative leave, according to Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan.
The suspect’s identity is being withheld pending identification by the medical examiner.
Patrol officers responded to a burglary call at 4:10 a.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Kalaupio Street in Pearl City.
The resident informed the officers her ex-boyfriend was inside the house, armed with knives, and was threatening to shoot co-workers and police officers. The suspect allegedly told officers he was not going to jail, Logan said.
The Crisis Negotiation Team and Specialized Services Division were called to the scene and attempted to convince him to exit, according to Logan. The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services also arrived on scene.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. smoke was observed coming out of a bedroom window, and 10 minutes later the suspect exited the home allegedly holding two knives. He then fled to the back balcony of a vacant next door residence, where officers were previously posted, and grabbed an unattended HPD rifle.
Andy Dombrose, 48, died by suicide after police moved to resolve a hostage situation in Mokuleia in May.
Logan said that no smoke canisters were deployed into the residence and that HPD believed the suspect started the fire that was brought under control just after 7 a.m.
Logan said some body camera footage exists, however SWAT officers are not issued with them. He said the footage may be released in the future.
