Federal court gets shooting case

By Allison Schaefers
Advertiser Staff Writer

The man who allegedly fired two shots inside Lihu'e Airport on Thursday will be prosecuted in federal court and faces a mandatory prison sentence if convicted.

Lloyd Albinio, 24, has been charged with assault on a federal officer using a deadly weapon, U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said yesterday. If convicted, Albinio will serve a prison sentence of up to 10 years, Kubo said.

State prosecutors originally charged Albinio with reckless endangerment, but Kubo said his office has accepted the case for federal prosecution because of the violent nature of the crime and the importance of protecting law enforcement officers and assuring the safety of the traveling public after Sept. 11.

"Make no mistake about this — this was a serious violent crime which threatened lives — and we will treat it seriously," Kubo said. "If you commit a gun crime, you will do hard federal time."

The incident caused the evacuation of more than 200 passengers and a delay in flights, and has transportation officials considering physical changes to airports statewide.

Kubo said the reason behind Albinio's actions is still under investigation, but "there is a difference between emotional and mental problems."

"He clearly knew exactly what he was doing," Kubo said. "His actions were clear-headed and calculated. ... That he later became distraught is irrelevant."

Albinio is accused of assaulting and intimidating Transportation Safety Administration Officer Glenn Hing on Thursday to gain access to a secured area of the airport, where law enforcement officers said he terrified travelers by firing his weapon.

According to a criminal complaint filed yesterday in federal court, Albinio bypassed a security checkpoint near the airport baggage claim area and attempted to enter the airport gate area via a closed hallway. Upon encountering resistance from Hing, who was standing guard unarmed, Albinio pointed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at Hing's upper torso and said, "What, you like to see if this gun is loaded?"

According to the complaint, Albinio then fired a round away from Hing and entered the airport gate area, where he proceeded through two sets of double doors and then fired another round. One bullet struck the floor and another hit the ceiling, said Scott Ishikawa, Department of Transportation spokesman.

After firing his gun, Albinio went to Gates 5 and 6 and ordered passengers to leave, said Kaua'i County spokeswoman Cyndi Ozaki. Albinio then sat with the gun to his head until police persuaded him to surrender, Ozaki said. Albinio was taken to Mahelona Medical Center for a mental-health evaluation.

He is still being held there, but federal prosecutors expect to have him in custody by the end of the week, Kubo said.