WAIANAE, HI – A neighborhood dispute turned deadly in Waianae Valley on Saturday night, leaving four people dead, including the suspect, and two others critically injured. The violent incident occurred just weeks after officials had pledged to increase police presence in the area to curb violent crime.
Honolulu police responded to multiple 911 calls around 11:15 p.m. from a family gathering that erupted into chaos. According to Homicide Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes, the calls reported that a neighbor was using a front loader, a type of heavy construction machinery, to ram multiple cars into a home. As individuals in the carport attempted to flee, the suspect opened fire, striking several victims.
A 42-year-old man who lived in the home ultimately shot and killed the suspect. Upon arrival, officers assessed the injured parties, finding five victims with gunshot wounds. Tragically, three women aged 36, 34, and 29 did not survive. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rushed a 31-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman to the hospital in critical condition.
The 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, and witnesses reported that the suspect had fired shots into these drums. The Honolulu Fire Department’s hazardous materials 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 neighborhood dispute. He reassured the community that the Honolulu Police Department, in collaboration with federal and state partners, continues to work diligently to reduce gun violence in the area.
Authorities 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 that led to the shootings.