Police release new details, surveillance photos from Chinatown acid attack

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Five days after a man was doused with acid in Chinatown, Honolulu police released new information on the investigation, including surveillance photos and a suspect sketch, Wednesday.

HPD said the attack occurred Friday, Aug. 8, at around 11:40 p.m. near the intersection of Hotel and Smith streets.

A co-worker confirms the victim is a cook at Livestock Tavern on Hotel Street. According to police, the 30-year-old had just picked up food to take back when an unknown male suspect approached him on the sidewalk.

Police said the suspect asked the victim a few questions before suddenly throwing an unknown liquid on him. Police said the two did not know each other, and did not release any details of their conversation.

The victim returned across the street to the restaurant, where coworkers called 911. He was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition, according to EMS.

Police said Wednesday the victim remains in the hospital and his condition is improving.

The suspect is described as 6 feet tall and in his 20s or 30s with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve, blue hooded dry-fit shirt, black pants, and black athletic shoes.

He carried a black backpack, wore black-framed glasses, and was seen carrying a red or maroon Hydroflask.

Police opened an assault investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300.

PREVIOUS POST: Police search for suspect in Chinatown acid attack

When asked why it took so long to release information to the public, HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes said, “Part of the reason is the surveillance video footage has to be recovered. When we rely on other parties, it did happen on a Friday night, which, Saturday morning is where we’re going to try to get businesses. Some businesses were closed. The victim himself was suffering from his injuries, so he was unable to provide us with a statement immediately.”

She added, “The witnesses, there was some language barrier which we had to rely on interpreters. So it was a little bit more of a process than something we would deal with where people were open and they were able to tell us a lot.”

This is the third acid attack on Oahu in the last two years.

Two years ago, another man threw acid at a 20-year-old woman in Mililani, leaving her in serious condition.

A similar attack happened months later, when a 25-year-old Chinese teacher on an exchange program was also doused with acid.

“We ask the public to remain vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately. Your awareness can help prevent future incidents,” Thoemmes said.

“A lot of people nowadays like to be on their cell phones with their head down. They need to pay attention to what’s going on. They see anything suspicious, anyone acting out of the ordinary, they should call 911 immediately. There are a lot of officers in the Chinatown area, so the response should be pretty immediate,” she said.

Chinatown residents described last Friday’s attack as unusual and, despite the area’s reputation, they feel safe there.

“It’s kind of random, honestly, because we’ve been working so hard at cleaning up Chinatown,” resident Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock said.

To help improve safety in Chinatown, Shubert-Kwock and several other residents are a part of a neighborhood watch group that reports suspicious behavior to Honolulu police assigned to the district.

Chinatown resident Ave Kwok is also a part of the volunteer effort.

“The businesses, the ownerships here, we’re taking very serious steps to improve Chinatown. Chinatown is different now,” Kwok said.

Chinatown resident Alma Browning added, “Everybody thinks it’s, ‘Oh you go to Chinatown, you have to be careful, you have to look around,’ and it’s not that way. It’s a really nice place to live.”

Watch HPD’s full press conference here:

RELATED STORIES

• Victim of acid attack speaks as suspects appear in court
• Mililani acid attack survivor recovers from latest facial reconstructive surgery
• Ala Moana acid attack suspect deemed mentally fit to stand trial
• Chemical attack victim identified as efforts underway to reach family in rural China
• Victim of acid attack offers ‘heartfelt appreciation’ for community’s support
• Survivor of Mililani acid attack to Ala Moana chemical assault victim: ‘I’m here for support’
• HPD: Suspect who allegedly threw acid on woman in Mililani masterminded 2nd acid attack