Police search for driver in officer-involved shooting

Hawaii Island police are investigating a non-fatal officer-involved shooting in Puna on Friday.

Shortly before 1 p.m., a Puna patrol officer came upon a suspicious car at the end of Mokuna Street in the Royal Hawaiian Estates subdivision. The car then drove directly toward the officer’s vehicle, swerving at the last moment, and continued to flee the area.

A few moments later, the same car — a blue or teal Honda four-door sedan with black or gray side panels — was observed traveling north into oncoming traffic on the southbound lane of Highway 11 in the Mountain View area. It continued through an active road construction site and drove directly toward an officer who was directing traffic. In response, that officer fired three shots toward the driver, striking the Honda, which continued traveling toward Hilo.

Officers are continuing an extensive search for the Honda.

As is standard practice in any police involved shooting, the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigations Section will conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an administrative investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about the location of the Honda or the identity of the driver to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.