Court documents filed by police name the Hawaii Police Department officer and the state sheriff’s deputy who fired shots Thursday afternoon at a suspect who allegedly sped toward them while behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck in Mountain
Court documents filed by police name the Hawaii Police Department officer and the state sheriff’s deputy who fired shots Thursday afternoon at a suspect who allegedly sped toward them while behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck in Mountain View.
Documents identify Officer Paul Wright and Deputy Dennis Branco as the officers who shot at 37-year-old Jomal G. Ford. The filings also name Deputy Gerard Moses as the officer who sustained minor injuries when a headlight of a red Nissan truck allegedly driven by Ford struck his lower left arm.
Hilo Medical Center emergency room physician Dr. Gary Duncan diagnosed Moses’ injuries as a contusion to his left arm with pain from his wrist and elbow radiating to his shoulder and left side of the neck. He was treated and released from the hospital.
Ford, who suffered at least one gunshot wound, as treated and released at HMC, as well, police said.
The officers reportedly went to the home on Mauna Lani Tract Road where the incident occurred to serve a no-bail bench warrant on Ford for revocation of his probation.
Moses reportedly recognized Ford as the driver when he got out of the truck after crashing into bushes on the property.
Documents state the truck was identified as belonging to Kenneth Yates, who told police he neither knows Ford nor gave him permission to use the truck.
Wright reported Ford intentionally accelerated the truck toward him, causing him to fear for his life and unholster his sidearm, documents state.
Branco reported he saw Wright fire a round that shattered the truck’s windshield, documents state. He said Ford ducked and continued to drive forward. Branco said he had to jump to his right to get out of the truck’s path and then fired a couple of shots into the driver’s side door.
Ford, who’s charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, plus driving a stolen vehicle and resisting an order to stop, made his initial court appearance today.
Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas maintained Ford’s bail at $2,011,000 and set a preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
As Ford was led out of the courtroom, a woman in the gallery told sheriff’s deputies, “Handle my braddah with care. With care.”
Attempted first-degree murder, upon conviction, carries a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The attempted first-degree murder charges are because the three alleged victims are law enforcement officers and the fourth count is because there are multiple alleged victims.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
