Victim of police shooting in custody

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — A homeless man shot by a patrol officer Wednesday was transferred yesterday from Hilo Hospital to the Hilo Community Correction Facility.

Police said Wendell N. Tangaro, 28, was arrested on a parole violation warrant and is awaiting a hearing from the Hawai'i Paroling Authority.

He has not been arrested or charged in the theft from machines at a Shipman Street laundromat. Police were responding to a report of a theft under way at the business early Wednesday morning when the shooting took place. Police said Tangaro tried to flee the scene in a car and sped toward the officer, who shot him in self-defense.

As is Hawai'i County Police Department practice, the name of the officer, a 20-year-veteran, has been withheld. He has been placed on paid administrative leave. He was not injured in the incident.

Tangaro was placed on parole in January 2000 after his 1996 conviction for first-degree robbery. He was to have remained on parole through March 2007.

The warrant to return him to custody was based on his admitted use of methamphetamine, not reporting to his parole supervisor and failing to attend outpatient treatment programs, police said.

Reach Hugh Clark at (808) 935 3916 or at hclark@honoluluadvertiser.com.