A Hawaii County Police Department officer shot in the line of duty took the witness stand Thursday in 3rd Circuit Court in Hilo.
In the attempted murder trial of alleged shooter 32-year-old Keaka Martin, Hawaii County Police Department Officer Joshua Gouveia testified that he and fellow officers, Garret Hatada, who was also shot, and Keith Nacis responded at about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 2, 2913, to a report of a suspicious man hiding under a vehicle in a parking lot on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo. The report followed earlier calls regarding gunfire in the area of Wailoa State Park.
Gouveia testified that when he crouched to look beneath a vehicle, he observed a man, later identified as Keaka, who removed a firearm from his waistband. Keaka then allegedly discharged the weapon, striking Gouveia in the “upper hip, thigh area.”
After scrambling away, Gouveia testified he heard more shots. He said he also heard Nacis radio in the report of an officer down.
Martin was arrested Jan. 3, 2013, in Hilo following a massive manhunt. Martin shot himself in the chest as the special response team arrived, but survived the wound.
Check out the Friday, Feb. 28, edition of West Hawaii Today or visit www.westhawaiitoday.com for the full story, including coverage of Gouveia’s testimony, the opening statement of Martin’s court-appointed attorney.