Man, 19, shot in leg during police search

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 19-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot in the leg Friday evening by a police officer who had followed another man into a Halawa home.

The shooting was reported at 8:35 p.m. on 'Aiealani Street in Halawa Heights.

Around 6 p.m. Friday, police responded to a report of a man in a silver Volvo waving a gun at people in another car near the Toys-R-Us store at Pearlridge Center.

Police spotted the Volvo near 'Aiea High School and gave chase. After the Volvo ran several red lights, police dispatch advised the officers not to pursue.

After Camp Smith sentries in Halawa Heights and neighbors informed police about the suspect's possible whereabouts, officers found the man at the 'Aiealani Street house.

They arrested the suspected gunman on charges of weapons violations and reckless driving. No weapon was recovered.

Four other men were at the house, police said.

As police were searching the house, police said an officer's shotgun discharged and struck one of the men in the leg.

The injured man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center.

Investigators said the shooting may have been accidental, or that the officer may have been startled or under the perception that he would be attacked.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave while HPD's Internal Affairs division conducts an investigation, as is routine when an officer fires his weapon while on duty.

Police said another man was arrested and two more may be taken into custody in connection with the case.