Suspect charged following Hilo officer-involved shooting
Hawaii Island Police detectives have charged 41-year-old Jordan Gino Cacatian in connection with the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred in downtown Hilo on Aug. 23.
After being released from the Hilo Medical Center, Cacatian was charged Sunday evening with first-degree terroristic threatening, attempted assault against a law enforcement officer, and attempted second-degree assault. His bail was set at $30,000.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred the afternoon of Aug. 23, when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a man cutting himself with a knife on Keawe Street. Responding officers observed the man with a knife, and gave loud verbal commands for him to put the knife down.
The suspect immediately began rapidly approaching an officer, police said. The officer drew his weapon and continued giving clear commands to the suspect. The suspect ignored the officer’s lawful commands, and the officer subsequently discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect in the lower extremities.
Police previously reported that first responders performed CPR on the victim; however, that was incorrect, as Cacatian was conscious and alert following this incident. His injuries were immediately addressed by medics and Cacatian was transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room, where he was treated for his self-inflicted injuries, as well as the injuries he received during the officer-involved shooting.
There were no reported injuries to bystanders or the responding officers.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to assist in this investigation.
The Office of Professional Standards has initiated a standard internal administrative investigation. The involved officer is a 14-year veteran of the department, who has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident should call the police department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective John Balberde of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or John.Balberde@hawaiicounty.gov.
