Self-defense still being investigated after latest West Oahu shooting

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Police Chief Joe Logan held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to address recent homicide cases in Waianae.

Logan said Saturdayʻs shooting is still under investigation and detectives are interviewing witnesses, reviewing and authenticating videos and testing evidence. He added that the community needs to say something if they see something as officials try to address violence on Oahu’s West side.

Logan said the investigation into whether self-defense was justified in Saturday’s shooting in Waianae is still ongoing. The 42-year-old who allegedly shot and killed the man who had rammed a front loader into his home and shot three women is no longer in custody.

“It’s just one of those things that doesn’t matter where the person was, if you discharge a firearm, in this case or any other case, you’ve injured another person, you’re going to be arrested,” Logan said. “So, the prosecutor’s office will make that final determination whether it is or is not justified.”

Logan also said the gun police believe was used to shoot the suspect was legally registered and added the weapons used by the deceased suspect were not registered.

The City Planning and Permitting Department has investigated at least 20 community complaints relating to the suspects property since 2001, with fines exceeding $550,000. The City also said the “Dome” that neighbors said was used for parties was not permitted.

Authorities added that the incident on Saturday began as an argument between families that escalated and hope that remediation trumps retaliation going forward.

“We would absolutely be supportive of of having those individuals come together with mediation and work towards a resolution instead of resulting in more violence,” Logan said.

West side community leaders said more official presence along the Waianae Valley Road has been on the minds of every nearby resident. Nine people have been killed since January in District 8 — two were shot after incidents with police.

“If you see a family member or friend that’s in a confrontation and you see that the situation is escalating,” Nanakuli-Maili Neighborhood Board Chair Samantha DeCorte said, “just call 911 immediately remove your family member or friend from that situation and let emotions die down.”

Logan said responding officers are equipped and trained to handle situations where tensions are high.

“And then help maybe provide outside resources to mediation and other aspects that can help families and neighbors get through disputes,” he said. The motive has not yet been released.

“No, I do not know anything more about the motive between the individual who obviously took a bucket loader or front loader into somebody elseʻs house and subsequently fired into that house or at individuals at that house, killing several people,” he said.

There is video surveillance of the shooting but officials could not comment on exactly when it will be released to the public.