UPDATE: Officer shoots knife-wielding man in downtown Hilo

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.

Police detectives are investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon shortly after 4 p.m.

South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a male party on Keawe Street who was cutting himself with a knife.

Responding officers observed the male suspect with a knife, and gave loud verbal commands for him to put the knife down, according to police.

The suspect immediately began rapidly approaching an officer. The officer drew his weapon and continued giving clear commands to the suspect, police said.

The suspect allegedly ignored the officer’s commands, and the officer subsequently discharged his weapon, striking the suspect in the lower extremities.

Police and responding paramedics immediately performed CPR on the suspect prior to him being transported via ambulance to the hospital. The suspect is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.

There were no reported injuries to bystanders or the responding officers.

Detectives are continuing this investigation.

The Office of Professional Standards has initiated a standard internal administrative investigation. The involved officer is a 14-year veteran of the department, and will be placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call the police department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective John Balberde of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or John.Balberde@hawaiicounty.gov.

PREVIOUSLY

The Hawaii Police Department at just after 5 p.m. today advised the public to avoid Keawe Street between Mamo Street and Kalakaua Street in Hilo.

That portion of Keawe is closed due to ongoing “police activity” in the area.