As suspects sought in teen shooting, frustration with crime grows in West Oahu

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Authorities are asking the public to help locate four male suspects wanted in connection with a shooting Sunday in Waianae that left a 15-year-old boy seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 9:25 a.m. and police officials say there was some form of “interaction” between the victim and the suspects prior to the shooting.

According to a statement from Honolulu CrimeStoppers, the suspects were chasing the victim and a witness on Ala Akau Street when one or more of the suspects shot the victim.

The suspects then fled the scene in a light gray Toyota Camry. Emergency medical personnel treated and transported the teenager to a nearby emergency room after he suffered multiple injuries.

Police are asking residents in the area to check their surveillance cameras for signs of the suspects.

“Just check your CCTV. It doesn’t have to be in the exact area, but if you live in the area, what we’re looking for is this light gray or light green colored four-door Toyota Camry sedan,” said HPD CrimeStoppers Honolulu Sergeant Chris Kim.

A photo of the suspect vehicle in an attempted murder in Waianae.(Honolulu CrimeStoppers)

He hopes the promise of anonymity when submitting information will encourage the public to share what they know.

“A lot of times people are too afraid to say anything. With CrimeStoppers, we’re giving you that opportunity, that resource to report things to us anonymously, because we understand that this is a tight-knit community, and you may want to help, but you may be afraid of retaliation or reprisal,” Kim said.

“But just send information through CrimeStoppers and we will keep you anonymous and then help investigators solve this case.”

Neighborhood council member Samantha DeCorte is among those on edge after the shooting and wanting answers.

Decorte wishes police would be quicker to release information to the public and is upset that crime continues on Leeward Oahu.

“At this point, the victims are getting younger and younger, the suspects are getting younger and younger. This is happening in broad daylight, in broad daylight. Kids are killing kids in the street,” DeCorte said.

“So what will it really take for HPD to wake up, for Chief Logan to take action, for the city and state to come together to finish the police precinct?”

Mayor Rick Blangairdi recently encouraged the community to take a greater role in patrolling their streets, something DeCorte said they already do but still need help.

“I feel two things,” she said when asked about the mood of her community.

“I understand, one, that the community is afraid. And two, that the community is already numb to all of this. It’s almost like saying, ‘Yeah, it’s another shooting.’ You know, it’s just another day here and… it absolutely shouldn’t be.”

Here is a description of what the suspects were wearing at the time:

Suspect 1: bare chest, blue shorts and brown shoes
Suspect 2: Black shirt, gray shorts and black shoes
Suspect 3: White shirt, black and white pants, face mask and black and white shoes
Suspect 4: Black hat, black shirt, black shorts and white shoes

It’s unclear what exactly led to the shooting, but it’s being investigated as an attempted murder. Anyone with further information about the case should call CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300 or use the P3 Tips mobile app.

The next community safety walk is scheduled for Friday, July 12. Members will gather at 6 p.m. at the cul-de-sac on Ala Walua Road.