Police investigate a second officer-involved shooting

Police are investigating a second non-fatal officer-involved shooting on the Big Island in a two-day span.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, a South Hilo patrol officer saw a black Honda Civic traveling down Lanikaula Street in Hilo. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop due to a traffic violation at the intersection of Lanikaula and Nowelo Street, the suspect fled from the officer, according to a statement.

The Honda then ran into a vehicle at the intersection Komohana Street and Ainaola Drive, as well as colliding into a police officer’s vehicle and then fleeing down Haihai Street. At the intersection with Kilauea Avenue, the Honda headed toward an officer on foot. In response, the officer discharged one shot toward the Honda. The Honda then struck a police vehicle in pursuit, causing both vehicles to end up in a gulch.

The driver and only occupant of the Honda, 25-year-old Cherish Torres of Hilo, was arrested on suspicion of eight traffic offenses, two counts of first-degree criminal property damage, second-degree theft and first-degree terroristic threatening.

The Honda was reported stolen in Hilo on April 6. The license plates on the Honda belonged to a vehicle reported stolen from Hawaiian Paradise Park on Friday.

Torres sustained minor injuries from the crash. She is being held at the Hilo police cellblock while Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives investigate.

No other injuries were reported.

As is standard practice in any police involved shooting, the Hilo Criminal Investigations Section will conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards, the department’s internal affairs unit, will conduct an administrative investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.