NANAKULI (KHON2) — A double stabbing at a Wendy’s in Nanakuli left one employee dead and another in serious condition Sunday morning, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
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HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes stated the suspect was moving furniture inside the establishment when an employee approached the suspect and asked him to stop.
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“Reportedly, Victim One punched the suspect who in turn stabbed Victim One and Victim Two,” said Lt. Thoemmes. “Victim Two attempted to help when he was stabbed as well.”
The first victim, a 22-year-old man, was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries, according to HPD. The second victim, a 44-year-old man, remains in serious condition.
The suspect was arrested at the scene for Second Degree Murder and Second Degree Attempted Murder, per HPD.
Cotti Foods, the owner of the Nanakuli Wendy’s gave the following statement:
The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority, and we are deeply shocked and saddened by this senseless and tragic incident. We are focused on working with law enforcement on their investigation and providing support and counseling resources to our restaurant team members at this time. The restaurant will remain closed until further notice.
Cotti Foods
Community leaders said incidents like these are, “crimes you just can’t prepare for,” according to Samantha DeCorte, Nanakuli-Maili Neighborhood Board Chair.
“Something like this to happen in this area is very uncommon. To be honest, it’s very unsettling because this is typically a quiet area, a quiet neighborhood,” said DeCorte. “Crime is starting to creep its way here when it’s more common for it to happen deeper on the coast.”
Representative Darius Kila stated the Nanakuli Shopping Center is one of the “pillars in our community.”
“A lot of our young kids go to work at that Wendy’s and that area specifically has never been an area of concern or cause of trouble. That’s all now been compromised by a senseless act of violence, and I hurt for them,” said Rep. Kila.
Community members continue working with state officials to keep their neighborhoods as safe as they can.
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“The City just ramped up three dozen-ish officers, and that has really helped,” said DeCorte. “This really does come as a surprise considering how many blue lights we have out there, how many patrol officers we have out there.”
Rep. Kila said his biggest concern is helping the employees get access to mental health care, making sure the shopping center has adequate security measures, and preventing local businesses in the area from suffering because of this incident.
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