Autopsy finds drug in victim
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
The man who shot at police officers during a Kane'ohe gunbattle on Friday had crystal methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death, according to the city Medical Examiner's Office.
Chief medical examiner Dr. Kanthi von Guenthner said the drug was found in Arnold Willets, who shot at officers three different times in Kane'ohe before he was killed by police.
Von Guenthner said she could not reveal the level of crystal methamphetamine in Willets until a police investigation into the shooting is finished.
Willets died from a gunshot wound to his face, according to von Guenthner. She said she also could not reveal how many times Willets was hit until the investigation was finished.
Police say Willets fired at officers at three different places during Friday's gunbattle, including once at nearly point-blank range at a police SUV. The officer driving the vehicle suffered a cut to his head from the shattered glass, police said.
Willets, who was paroled in June, had tested positive for methamphetamine in July. He failed to show for a mandatory Sept. 23 visit with paroling officials, and a warrant was issued the next day for his arrest.
Christopher Edenfield, 22, and his 22-month-old son, Kyle, were in the truck driven by Willets during the gunfight. Investigators believe the two were forced into the truck by Willets, who was being sought by police after he reportedly rammed an unmarked police car at a nearby Kahalu'u park just minutes earlier.
Edenfield was wounded three times by police during the exchange of fire. During the final gunbattle between officers and Willets, Edenfield tossed his son out the truck window to safety. The toddler received cuts and bruises.
Edenfield told his attorney, David Gierlach, that Willets appeared to be under the influence of drugs when he barged into the home of Edenfield's girlfriend's family and grabbed the baby.
Nine officers who fired their guns during the chase have been placed on administrative leave.
