The gunman at the centre of a police shootout and manhunt across Honolulu, Hawai’i has died while two officers received serious gunshot wounds.
The suspect, 44-year-old Sidney Tafokitau, was of Tongan decent.
He was shot after the incident happened around 4.30 pm on University Avenue, reported Hawai’i Now.
The police closed University Avenue from Metcalf to King St., including Dole St as part of an attempt to arrest Tafokitau.
Following his death the CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department thanked the public for their assistance in locating Tafokitau who was wanted for Attempted Murder in the First Degree.
On Monday, January 2, 2024, at approximately 4.14 pm HPD officers located Tafokitau in the Manoa area.
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at approximately 12.45 am an unknown male suspect who was later positively identified as Tafokitau got into a verbal argument with a group of males on Rose Street in Kalihi.
He subsequently used a firearm to shoot at the group, striking one male, and a knife to cause bodily injury to a second male. On December 21, 2023, multiple no-bail warrants were issued for his arrest.
Today at 11.35 am plainclothes officers attempted to apprehend Tafokitau in a stolen vehicle in Kalihi when he fired multiple times at their unmarked vehicle.
Tafokitau fled on Likelike Highway. Shortly after, he stole another vehicle at gunpoint.
