HPD: Fugitive fatally shot by police in Kailua ignored officers’ commands

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Police said a work furlough escapee fatally shot by officers Monday ignored multiple commands to comply and was armed.

“He was resisting. He was not compliant,” deputy Police Chief John McCarthy said in a Tuesday news conference. He said the officers fired on the fugitive when they feared for their safety.

The man who was shot was identified as Dallas Pearce, 33.

Pearce had nine prior convictions, and was sentenced in 2012 to 10 years in prison for burglary.

He was nearing the end of a sentence when he got a day pass on Nov. 19 ― and took off.

About 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, plainclothes officers got a tip that he was parked at the Aikahi Gardens housing complex, and they were able to confirm his identity.

When they ordered Pearce to get out of his car, he refused.

McCarthy said a “struggled ensued,” and the officers then discharged their weapons.

The officers had 22 and 10 years of service in the department. They’ve been put on administrative leave as is standard procedure.

When asked whether the suspect had a so-called airsoft or pellet gun, McCarthy said that was still under investigation.

Police also arrested a woman — 41-year-old April Fujihara — on the scene for interfering "with the apprehension of the suspect.” Fujihara was arrested on suspicion of first-degree hindering prosecution and three criminal contempt of court warrants.

Authorities said Pearce was initially taken in critical condition to Adventist Health Castle.

One witness, who declined to be named, said he heard at least four gunshots and saw the man fall out of the vehicle. Officers then started performing CPR on him, the witness said.

Witness Jason Hills said it looked like the officers “cornered” the suspect.

“They were obviously after him for something,” he said.

Resident Lynn Kaita rushed to the area to pick up her grandchildren after hearing about the shooting.

“I was kind of a little bit panicking,” she said.

It’s the first officer-involved shooting of the year.

Last year, there were nine officer-involved shootings, five of which were fatal.

This story will be updated.

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