Posted on: Tuesday, June 4, 2002

Man killed by police was on 'ice,' doctor says

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 28-year-old man who was shot and killed by police in an 'Aiea garage in April had a high level of crystal methamphetamine in his system, according to an autopsy by the city medical examiner's office.

Clinton Candelario "had a good amount of crystal meth in his blood, a high level," said Kanthi Von Guenthner, the city's chief medical examiner.

Von Guenthner said yesterday that the case is under investigation, and she declined to elaborate on how much or how recently Candelario had taken crystal meth, commonly known as "ice." There were no other illegal drugs in Candelario's system, Von Guenthner said.

Candelario, who had a history of drug abuse and had prior convictions for auto theft, third-degree theft and fourth-degree theft, had fled from a court-ordered drug rehabilitation program March 19.

On April 23, Candelario led police on a chase through Pearl City and Salt Lake before he was found in the Kauhale Street garage, police said. Candelario was trying to steal another car, a Toyota Camry, when two officers shot him at close range, according to police.

Candelario died from a gunshot to the neck and a spine injury, the medical examiner's office said.

A day after the shooting, Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue said the shooting was handled properly. "Based on the information that I received at the scene, it appears that the officers responded as they were train-ed to do," Donohue said.

An officer who shot Candelario was dragged by the Toyota Camry when he leaned in to try to stop the car, police said. Another officer shot through the passenger-side window. Both officers suffered arm or hand injuries and were treated at the scene.

The internal affairs investigation into the shooting is continuing, said police spokeswoman Michelle Yu.