KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police have released the names of three people arrested following a shooting incident Friday in Ka‘u that left suspected cop killer Justin Waiki dead.
Those arrested on suspicious of first-degree hindering prosecution are Jorge Pagan-Torres,35, of no permanent address; Krystle Ferreira, 29, of Waimea; and Malia Lajala, 30, of Hilo.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Police Department Chief Paul Ferriera said a Special Response Team sergeant shot during the incident was in stable condition Friday evening.
“I know that our island community and entire state has been following this event, and we at the Hawaii Police Department want to express our thanks for the thoughts and prayer. Along with your hopes, we have been able to bring this nightmare to an end,” Ferriera said during a press conference at 6:30 p.m.
The Special Response Team member, 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 and the Special Response Team established to find Waiki 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.
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.