The wife of Hawaii Police Department Sgt. Bryan Tina, who was shot in a violent shootout on South Point Road Friday afternoon that left fugitive Justin Waiki dead, expressed her gratitude and said her husband is recovering.
“Words cannot express how thankful me, Bryan, and our entire ‘ohana are for the massive outpouring of love and support we received …,” Tara Tina posted on Facebook. “Bryan is strong and doing well and will recover from his gunshot wounds. Thank God for watching over him … and thank you for all your prayers.”
Police said Tina, a 12-year department veteran and member of the Special Response Team — the department’s SWAT unit — was struck in the chest and arm after Waiki emerged from a blanket shooting as Tina searched a Toyota 4Runner set up at a checkpoint during a manhunt for the 33-year-old Waiki, wanted for the fatal shooting of Puna patrol Officer Bronson Kaliloa Thursday night in Mountain View.
Other officers returned fire, killing Waiki.
Police say Tina, who was shot from an angle that allowed the bullet to go beneath his protective vest, is recovering at Hilo Medical Center.
Tina’s duties have included community policing officer and school resource officer at Hilo Intermediate School. He was nominated for “Hawaii County Employee of the Year” in 2016.
Tara Tina thanked Tina’s fellow officers, Hawaii Fire Department medics and medevac team and the staff of Hilo Medical Center “for taking the absolute best care of my husband and for bringing him home to all of us!”
She also gave thanks that Waiki “has been taken off the streets and our community is much safer.”
To the fallen patrolman, she wrote, “Rest in Love Officer Kaliloa.”
Public memorial services for the 46-year-old Kaliloa are set for Aug. 4 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
Three individuals in the SUV who allegedly aided and abetted Waiki are facing charges that could put them behind bars for the rest of their lives, if convicted.
Jorge Pagan-Torres, 35, of Hilo, Malia Lajala, 30, of Hilo, and Krystle Ferreira, 29, of Waimea, were charged Sunday with accomplice to attempted first-degree murder, accomplice to illegally carrying a revolver and first-degree hindering prosecution.
In addition, Pagan-Torres was charged with two counts of violating probation and Lajala was charged with two counts of promoting a dangerous drug in the third-degree.
All three alleged accomplices are being held without bail pending their initial appearances this morning in Kona District Court.
The accomplice to attempted first-degree murder charge carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole upon conviction.
Another woman in the 4Runner, who police have not named, was shot and the leg and suffered a broken thigh bone. She was also being treated at Hilo Medical Center.
Detectives confiscated the SUV and executed a search warrant on it. According to police, officers recovered numerous rounds of unspent ammunition, 0.9 grams of a black tar-like substance suspected to be heroin, 0.1 grams of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine and about $620 in cash.
The stolen .38-caliber revolver allegedly used by Waiki was recovered, as well.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646 ext. 262 or Jerome.Manuel@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.