HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A tense barricade situation in Kapahulu stretched into Tuesday evening after a state deputy sheriff was shot during a federal drug operation.
At around 9 a.m., Drug Enforcement Administration agents and their partners executed a federal narcotics warrant at a home on Herbert Street, according to officials.
Honolulu police later announced via social media that a law enforcement officer had been shot.
The initial call was classified as an aggravated assault.
Sources told Hawaii News Now that a deputy sheriff with the Department of Law Enforcement was shot in an operation as part of a task force with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The DEA confirmed the shooting in a statement:
“This morning, while executing a court authorized federal (NARCOTICS) search warrant at a property in Honolulu, DEA agents and task force officers encountered an individual, who began firing a weapon. During this encounter, a task force officer from a partner agency sustained a gunshot injury. The task force officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. Subsequent to the shooting incident, a barricade situation unfolded. Honolulu Police Department and DEA personnel are on scene investigating the matter. As the investigation is ongoing, DEA will not comment further.”
Nearby residents described hearing loud noises when it started.
“I heard three bangs that sounded like firecrackers,” said Richard Puhalla, who lives in the area. “I realized it was serious when I started seeing all the police officers arrive en masse.”
Barbie Dudley, who lives across the street from the scene, was walking outside when her daughters called her, saying they heard rapid gunfire.
“I was asking them about it like, ‘What happened?’” said Dudley. “Everything just happened so fast. They was scared. They said the cops got there real quick and just banging.
“By just hearing the shots, it kind of startled them, and they didn’t know what was going on,” she added.
Other residents said that the neighborhood has a history of problems.
“It’s bad. I mean, there’s so much homelessness. You don’t even know what’s going on around here,” said Kahealani Mole, another resident. “(I feel) uncomfortable knowing that I have a 5-year-old that goes to school.”
Nearby homes were placed under a voluntary evacuation.
The deputy was driven to the hospital by another officer. Sources said he was treated for a gunshot to the hand and for an injury to his shoulder area from shrapnel. He was released from the hospital hours later.
The suspect is believed to be inside the unit with law enforcement surrounding it.
Suspect livestreams on social media
At one point during the barricade, the suspect was streaming live on his Facebook page from inside his home.
He was talking with officers as they negotiated with him to surrender.
During the stream, he was also seen with a firearm.
Roads closed, assembly area open
Residents are being asked to avoid the area and to keep the roads clear for first responders to work safely and efficiently.
An assembly area is an outdoor waiting area for people required to temporarily evacuate or unable to get home.
Campbell Avenue is closed from Brokaw Street to Kapahulu Avenue due to police activity. Castle, Herbert, and Martha streets are also closed from Campbell Avenue to Winam Street.
An assembly area is open at Paki Hale for all impacted residents who are unable to get to their homes.
The American Red Cross is on site to provide information as it becomes available and the Salvation Army is providing drinks and snacks.
Pets welcome but must be in a carrier or on a leash.
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