Posted on: Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Big Island police shoot man wielding scissors

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — A Puna man was shot in the chest Sunday night after allegedly threatening a police officer with a pair of scissors.

Police had gone to a residence on 23rd Avenue off Maku'u Drive in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision about 10:50 p.m. in response to a call about a man's disorderly behavior, Capt. James Day said.

The man, whose identity was not released, already had seriously injured himself with the scissors, and he ignored officers' attempts to persuade him to let paramedics treat him, Day said. The man threatened one of the officers with the scissors and was shot in the chest by an officer, he said.

Police are not releasing the officer's name.

The man was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and admitted for psychiatric evaluation.

The Hawai'i County Police Department's Internal Affairs Section is conducting an administrative investigation into the shooting.