HPD search for gunman accused of killing 2 people, injuring 3 in Māʻili

MAILI, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Honolulu Police Department is searching for a man in his 20s who allegedly shot five people, killing two, at an illegal chicken fight in Māʻili overnight on April 15.

HPD said the man should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police said they responded to a 911 call regarding a chicken fight and shots being fired around 12:07 a.m.

One nearby resident said, “I was walking home, and I hear, like, 10 gunshots; and then, cars started speeding off going towards the main road.”

“It was one time– one time just shots. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. And, that’s it. Everybody was gone,” said another resident who lives nearby.

Police documents show that the victims were taken to a local area hospital in private vehicles.

“At the end of the fight, a group of males started arguing; and then, it escalated to a physical altercation. At some point, gunshots were fired hitting the five people who were in the immediate area,” said Lt. Deena Thoemmes, HPD Homicide Division.

Police said a 59-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male were pronounced dead shortly after they arrived at the hospital.

A 40-year-old male, a 57-year-old male and a 38-year-old male all sustained gunshot wounds and were treated at the nearby hospital and released.

One resident said chicken fights at this particular spot are relatively new, but it didn’t seem like the chicken fight was the reason for the shooting.

“They were having a good time talking story. Everybody was leaving; the cock fighting was over with,” said the nearby resident.

Police also didn’t say if the shooting stemmed from the chicken fight.

“I don’t understand the circumstances from this. It could have stemmed from something totally different, and they just happened to be in the same area at the same time,” said Lt. Thoemmes.

HPD said that the suspect is not in custody and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with info is asked or call 911 or Crimestoppers.

Teens and kids nearby said they hear gunshots all the time in the area, and other concerned residents said chicken fights are everywhere on the Leeward side.

“I was crying. I couldn’t breathe as good. I couldn’t breathe,” said one young girl who heard the gunshots nearby.

KHON2 asked a teen nearby: “What did you do when you heard the shots, or is this normal?”

Teen: “Yeah it’s normal. I just told my brother to get on the side.”

KHON2: “Do you hear it often over here?”

Teen: “Yeah, they shoot ’em for fun.”

Community members said lack of enforcement is a big reason why more violence keeps happening

“It’s an illegal sport; and when illegal sports come in, you have drug trafficking, human trafficking. And, all these components come up; and this is what happens. And, then, you have violence come up,” said Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya, Māʻili neighborhood board chair.

Rep. Darius K. Kila (D-44 Honokai Hale, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili) had issued a statement on April 15 in regards to the incident.

“First and foremost, my prayers go out to the ʻohana of all involved in this tragedy; and I
encourage our community to surround them with aloha,” said Rep. Kila. “If you have any information to share, please do so with HPD as they investigate this incident so those
responsible can be held accountable,”