Big Island police shoot, kill man who allegedly fired at officers

Big Island police are investigating an officer-involved shooting late Sunday in Hilo that left a 34-year-old man dead.

South Hilo patrol officers responded to a 7:10 p.m. Sunday call of a physical domestic at a residence on Mokuhonua Lane in Hilo, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence.

A man then came out of the rear of the residence with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire on the officers at the scene, police said.

One officer, a 13-year veteran of the department, returned fire and struck the suspect several times. Police said in a media release the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Ryan Yukiharu Santos of Hilo, died at the scene.

During the course of the incident, a 91-year-old relative of the suspect also appeared to go into cardiac arrest. He was transported by medics to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Police believe he died from a medical condition.

Autopsies have been ordered for Santos and the 91-year-old to determine the exact causes of death.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the criminal investigation into this matter, police said. Detectives from the Office of Professional Standards have opened a standard internal investigation into this incident.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as is standard practice in this type of incident, police said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Detective John Balberde of the Area I Criminal Investigations Section at (808) 961-2386 or via email at john.balberde@hawaiicounty.gov.