HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu Police say they feel officer-involved shooting in Makaha on June 24 was justified. They say the two officers felt their lives were in danger, and shot the suspect to protect themselves.
Surveillance video from a neighbor shows the white truck zooming into the small lane off Hana Street. Then a dark sedan follows.
Within seconds, the video’s audio displays a crash and what sounds like gunshots.
“While the car was coming in, the truck was trying to reverse so I guess the car manuvered sideways and then as it was moving, that’s when the cops fired,” said a witness.
“All we heard was like the gunshots going off so our thoughts was only like trying to get us and my sister to safety,” said Kay Tabangcura, Makaha resident.
Honolulu Police say the 38-year old man driving the stolen truck was wanted for assaulting a police officer two weeks ago, and was also wanted on three outstanding felony warrants.
They say two undercover officers shot him after he rammed into the officers vehicle. They also say the officers ordered the man to stop, but he continued to reverse into their car.
“Individuals that are confronted by law enforcement, and you feel you have a right not to listen to the officer, that is not the time to fight with the officer,” said Chief Joe Logan, Honolulu Police Department. “The time to fight with the officer is in court under the system of our criminal justice system.”
The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Residents said they understand that Honolulu Police have a job to do. But what concerns them about this shooting is that it happened in such close proximity to other homes and and innocent bystanders.
“That’s why was scary because it’s like my room was like right here towards where the fires was shot,” Tabangcura said. “If had like me or my family or anybody that did get hit, it’s just crazy.”
“The suspect in situations like this dictate the officers actions,” Logan said. “And unfortunately in this situation, it ended badly.”
This is the second officer-involved shooting on Oahu in just three days, and the second shooting in this neighborhood in less than a month.
“Honestly I’ve been thinking like… I gotta get off this island, like I wanna get out of here move to somewhere else,” Tabangcura said.
Police say the officers have been put on administrative leave, which is standard procedure after any shooting.
The shooting is under investigation, and will go to the prosecutor’s office later.