Non-fatal officer-involved shooting takes place in Hilo Saturday

Hawaii Island police are investigating a non-fatal officer-involved shooting in Hilo on Saturday.

Shortly before 4 p.m., a South Hilo patrol officer observed a black Honda Civic traveling down Lanikaula Street. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop because of a traffic violation at the intersection of Lanikaula and Nowelo streets, the suspect failed to stop and fled from the officer, according to police.

The Honda then ran into a vehicle at the intersection Komohana Street and Ainaola Drive, as well as colliding into a police officer’s vehicle and then fleeing down Haihai Street. At the intersection with Kilauea Avenue, the Honda headed toward an officer on foot. In response, the officer discharged one shot toward the Honda. The Honda then struck a police vehicle in pursuit, causing both vehicles to end up in a gulch, police said.

The only occupant of the Honda, 25-year-old Cherish Torres of Hilo, was arrested for eight traffic offenses, two counts of first-degree criminal property damage, second-degree theft and first-degree terroristic threatening.

The Honda was reported stolen from Hilo on Monday. The license plates on the Honda belonged to a vehicle reported stolen from Hawaiian Paradise Park on Friday, according to police.

Police said Torres sustained minor injuries from the crash. No other injuries were reported. She is being held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.

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 who witnessed the incident to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us.

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.