HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2) — Just shy of the third complete day of the island-wide manhunt for alleged police officer shooter Christopher Lucrisia, 39, Big Island police were able to locate Lucrisia in Mountain View on the afternoon of March 16, resulting in a shootout that killed the suspect.
Police say Lucrisia’s alleged crime spree began on March 10 during the early morning hours, when Lucrisia fired a gun at his ex-girlfriend’s residence in Mountain View. As a felon, it is illegal for Lucrisia to own or possess a firearm or ammunition.
Since March 10, Lucrisia allegedly returned to his ex-girlfriend’s residence, to her absence. While there, police say he stole a bag from a bedridden 75-year-old woman in the residence, adding robbery to his case.
On March 14, Lucrisia was spotted in Hilo in a white pickup truck, which was being operated by 23-year-old Silas Zion. Officers approached the vehicle, instructing the pair to turn off the car and exit, only for Lucrisia to allegedly open fire on the police.
One officer was struck once in the arm and once more in the head. He was later flown to Oʻahu for treatment where police say he remains in critical, but stable, condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Police at the scene returned fire to Lucrisia. It is unknown if any of the rounds hit Lucrisia or Zion. The truck then fled the scene toward the airport.
Later that afternoon police were able to find and arrest Zion in Mountain View, and also seized the white pickup truck the duo were sitting in at the time of the gunfire. According to police, there was blood found in the vehicle.
On March 16, police located Lucrisia in Mountain View. In response, police shut down Stainback Highway and Ihope Road, the same area where Zion was arrested on March 14.
According to residents of Mountain View, there were gunshots heard at the same time the roads were shut down due to the investigation. Police say officers and Lucrisia exchanged gunfire, ultimately resulting in Lucrisia’s death.
HPD will have a press conference at 7:30 p.m. with more information.