UPDATE: Fugitive sought by police was at scene of fatal officer-involved shooting
UPDATED 4:19 p.m.:
Ronald Kahihikolo, a fugitive who’s still at large, was at the scene when police fatally shot another man this morning in Kailua-Kona, according to police.
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Police say detectives received information today that Kahihikolo — who was wanted for attempted murder in the nonfatal shooting of a woman Tuesday during a domestic dispute — was in Kona. Police say Kahihikolo and several associates were in possession of two stolen cars, a silver Chevy Malibu and a white Dodge sedan.
Police say plainclothes Kona Vice detectives saw the Malibu stop at Kamakaeha Avenue and Palani Road. According to police, detectives approached the Chevy and ordered the vehicle’s occupants to show their hands. Police say the man driving then began reaching for an object, and two detectives discharged their duty weapons, hitting the driver.
The driver, according to police, then drove the vehicle across all lanes of Palani Road and down an embankment before coming to a stop.
Detectives started life-saving measures on the driver, police said, but the man died at the scene. Several firearms were recovered from the car, police said.
Police are withholding the identity of the driver, pending notification of next of kin.
A woman passenger, 26-year-old Jacqueline Keanaaina of Kailua-Kona, suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash and was treated at the scene by Hawaii Fire Department medics, police said.
She was then arrested for an outstanding warrant and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station.
One detective sustained minor injuries and was provided with first aid at the scene.
According to police, as the shooting took place, the white Dodge sedan, with Kahihikolo at the wheel, was spotted traveling toward Waimea.
Police pursued Kahihikolo through the Waimea area, and he got out of the car on Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) near the 40-mile marker in lower Kalopa in Hamakua. He was last seen near the highway on foot wearing a plaid shirt and jeans in a secluded area near a gulch.
He is described as 5 -feet-7 inches tall, 215 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and a distinctive tattoo on his right cheek near his eye that reads “greed.”
Police are currently searching for Kahihikolo, who is considered armed and dangerous. They advise citizens to avoid the area while officers search for him and to report any suspicious activity in the area by calling 911.
The Office of Professional Standards has initiated an internal administrative investigation on the police-involved shooting. The involved detectives are 25-year and 13-year veterans, respectively, and will be placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident.
Police ask anyone with information on this incident to call the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
PREVIOUSLY: Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 44-year-old Ronald Kahihikolo of Ocean View, who is wanted for attempted murder and numerous outstanding bench warrants.
Police are actively pursuing Kahihikolo, who is believed to be in the Hamakua area and was last seen shortly before noon on foot in the area of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) near the 40-mile-marker in the lower Kalopa area.
Kahihikolo is the second suspect and the one who managed to evade police during an incident in which another suspect was shot dead by police today in Kailua-Kona — is described as 5 -feet-7 inches tall, 215 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has a distinctive tattoo on his right cheek near his eye that reads “greed.”
Kahihikolo was last seen wearing a plaid shirt with jeans.
He is considered armed and dangerous. Police caution members of the public not to approach Kahihikolo and to immediately call 911 if they see him.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.
This is a developing story and and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Hawaii County Police confirmed Friday one suspect is dead following a police-involved shooting on Palani Road in Kailua-Kona
Another suspect is being pursued in connection to this case. Police have closed off Highway 19 (Hawaii Belt Road) near the 40-mile marker and Kalopa Lower Road near Kalopa,, south of Honokaa.
Please advise motorists avoid this area until further notice.