HPD chief: Officers were executing search warrant before fatal shooting

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 55-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday after allegedly pointing a gun at officers executing a search warrant at the Century Center building on Kalakaua Avenue.

The incident happened about 6 p.m. on the 22nd floor of the highrise, which is a mixed-residential tower.

Police Chief Susan Ballard said Specialized Services Division (or SWAT) officers were executing a drug-related search warrant at a unit when the 55-year-old pointed a loaded gun at one of the officers.

An officer then shot at the suspect multiple times. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

No officers were injured in the melee.

"Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the suspect did not comply," Ballard said, at a news conference Thursday. "The suspect then pointed the weapon at the officer, at which time the officer discharged."

A video doorbell at a neighboring unit captured portions of the chaotic scene before the shooting and in the immediate aftermath.

"Basically there was a lot of commotion," a resident said. "We heard police knocking, then they started yelling and screaming, 'search warrant.'"

The resident said as many as 30 officers converged on the unit.

Footage from the video doorbell shows officers in a hallway yelling to be let into a unit.

"Police, open the door!" the officers can be heard yelling. "Open the door! Police! Search warrant! Open the door! ... We're coming in!"

Police said the 55-year-old, whose identity has not yet been released, was the lone occupant of a locked bedroom, and that police had to break the door down to get in. The search warrant wasn't for the man who was fatally shot.

Meanwhile, Ballard said the 55-year-old did have prior felony and misdemeanor convictions on the mainland.

The officer who fatally shot the man has 13 years of service in the department and has been put on administrative leave, as is standard.

There were drugs found in the unit, but Ballard did not release specifics on the amount or suspected type. Two occupants of the apartment — a 62-year-old man and a 34-year-old man — were arrested for promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree. Three women who were also in the unit were not charged.

This story will be updated.

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