WAIANAE, HI – A neighborhood dispute turned deadly in Waianae Valley late Saturday night, leaving four people dead, including the suspect, and two others critically injured. The incident occurred just two weeks after top officials had vowed to crack down on violent crime in the area by increasing police presence.
Honolulu police responded to multiple 911 calls around 11:15 p.m. from a residence where a family gathering was underway. According to Homicide Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes, the calls reported that a neighbor had used a front loader, a type of heavy construction machinery, to ram multiple cars into the home. Chaos ensued as individuals in the carport attempted to flee, only to be met with gunfire from the suspect.
The suspect was fatally shot by a 42-year-old male resident of the home. Upon arrival, officers assessed the injured parties, discovering that five victims had sustained gunshot wounds. Tragically, three of the victims, all women aged 36, 34, and 29, did not survive. A 31-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The 42-year-old resident who shot the suspect has been arrested for second-degree murder. Police discovered that the front loader operated by the suspect was carrying four 55-gallon drums filled with an unknown fuel, which the suspect had fired shots into. The Honolulu Fire Department’s Hazmat team was called in to safely remove the drums.
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan emphasized that this was not a random act but a targeted incident stemming from a dispute between neighbors. He reassured the community that the Honolulu Police Department, along with federal and state partners, continues to work diligently to reduce gun violence in the area.
Authorities have confirmed that police had previously responded to an incident involving the same neighbor in 2023. As the investigation continues, police are interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and gathering evidence to piece together the events leading up to the shootings.