Alleged cop killer Justin Waiki dead, three in police custody following shootout in Ka‘u

KAILUA-KONA — A Hawaii Police Department Special Response Team sergeant was shot during a shootout Friday with alleged cop killer Justin Waiki off South Point Road in Ka‘u. Waiki has been confirmed dead.

The Special Response Team member, also identified as a 12-year veteran of the department, arrived at Hilo Medical Center shortly after 4 p.m. after being medevaced from the scene near the road’s intersection with Kamaoa Road.

Police tell West Hawaii Today that a taskforce established to find Waiki and the Special Response Team were acting on a tip received Friday when they went to South Point Road earlier in the afternoon.

At about 2:45 p.m., police said, the Special Response Team engaged with the suspect who was in a SUV with four other people at the time. With Waiki were three women and a man, who was driving the vehicle.

Upon members of the team making checks, Waiki opened fire on the officers, shooting the SRT sergeant. He appeared to have been shot in his chest and arm. He is in stable condition, Hawaii Police Chief Paul Ferreira said at 6:30 p.m.

During the gunfire, a woman party hiding in the SUV was shot as well. The woman, who was conscious at the scene, was also taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

The two other women and the man driving the vehicle were also arrested on suspicion of first-degree hindering prosecution.

The manhunt for Waiki started Tuesday evening at 9:47 p.m. after police say he shot Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa at the side of the road of Highway 11 in Mountain View when the officer approached a vehicle during a traffic stop.

Waiki, allegedly got out of the car and shot Kaliloa in the neck and leg. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be torn carotid artery caused by a gunshot wound, and the manner of death homicide.