Hawaii County Police Kill Man Who Fired At Them, Chief Says
Police Chief Ben Moszcowicz said he expects bodycam footage of the incident to be released on Monday.
Police officers fatally shot a 30-year-old man who fired “indiscriminately” at them as he was being pursued in a remote area of Puna, according to the Hawaii County police chief.
Police initially sought the suspect following a domestic argument between two brothers about 11:45 p.m. Friday at a home in the Orchidland Estates subdivision. Chief Ben Moszkowicz said when officers responded, the 30-year-old man allegedly fled the scene while armed with a handgun.
Efforts to find him were unsuccessful.
Police then got a call at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday that the man was hiding in a home on 26th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision.
Moszkowicz said the man refused orders to surrender and instead fled from the back of the house.
Officers pursued him.
“The suspect ran into a heavily wooded area located behind me and began firing indiscriminately at the officers,” Moszcowicz said. “The officers returned fire and the suspect was struck.”
The man died at the scene. No one else was injured.
According to the chief, there was a bench warrant for the suspect’s arrest.
The department said the four officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
Moszcowicz said he expects bodycam footage of the incident to be released on Monday.
