Shootout in Honolulu leaves suspect dead, 2 police officers wounded

Honolulu, HAWAII — An intense, islandwide manhunt for an armed suspect ended Monday afternoon with a police shootout on a busy Honolulu street that left two officers with serious gunshot wounds.

The suspect, 44-year-old Sidney Tafokitau, was also shot, and sources confirmed he died.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. on University Avenue. The criminal investigation closed University Avenue from Metcalf to King Street, including Dole Street.

Officials said plainclothes officers attempted Monday morning to apprehend Tafokitau in a stolen vehicle in Kalihi when he fired multiple times at their unmarked vehicle.

Police said Tafokitau fled on Likelike Highway. He then stole another vehicle at gunpoint, a white Scion on Kahekili Highway on the Windward side of Oahu.

Erin Valentine was the owner of the car that Tafokitau stole. She said she saw his car coming from Kaneohe town and heading in her direction, driving erratically around cars that were at the stoplight.

“I started slamming on my horn to let him know because I thought it was just one of those impatient drivers, that didn’t want to wait out a red light. So I was trying to slam on my horn to like alert him or alert other drivers out there that there was a vehicle coming. He ended up slamming right into him,” Valentine said.

Valentine then watched him climb out of the driver’s side window.

“He opened up the car door and just lifted up the gun straight to my face and just said, ‘get out,’” Valentine said.

After Valentine exited the vehicle, Tafokitau jumped in and took off.

Police sources said an APB had been issued, warning that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.

This comes after multiple no-bail warrants were issued on Dec. 21 for Tafokitau’s arrest.

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