HONOLULU (KHON2) — The man accused of throwing acid on a pedestrian in Chinatown on Aug. 8 recently received a large payment from the City and County of Honolulu.
Marquis Johnson, 34, sued the City and a Honolulu police officer in 2022, alleging misconduct after he was wrongfully detained by police in Waikiki in 2020.
According to court documents, Johnson said he was assaulted by the officer while handcuffed. The federal civil rights suit was settled for $290,000 and was approved by the Honolulu City Council in June 2025.
The City said his subsequent arrest for the acid attack has no impact on this settlement.
Background
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the incident happened on Aug. 8.
The victim was crossing the street when Johnson allegedly approached him and asked a few questions before throwing an unknown liquid at him — which was later identified as sulfuric acid.
Officials said the victim sustained severe burns to his face and upper body.
Less than two weeks later, Johnson was arrested after turning himself in to the main police station, where he was taken into custody for first-degree assault. He was formally charged on Aug. 20.
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He is scheduled to be in court on Monday, Aug. 25, for the acid assault.