The Associated Press
Honolulu (AP) -- A shootout at a Kalihi public housing project late Thursday left one man dead and two people wounded including a Honolulu police officer.
Police said the exchange of gunfire occurred at Mayor Wright Housing just after 5 p.m. Thursday as officers converged on an apartment containing Gordon Morse, a suspect wanted in last month’s police chase on Round Top Drive.
Deputy Police Chief Glen Kajiyama said police received a CrimeStoppers tip that Morse was hiding inside a second-story unit. When officers knocked on the door, they discovered three men fleeing out the back window.
“The officers gave several orders for the males to put their hands up, instead one of the males climbed back into the window and two remained on the second-floor ledge,” Kajiyama said. “One of the males then drew a weapon and pointed in the direction of the officers. Gunfire was then exchanged.”
One suspect was killed and another suspect, a 19-year-old man, was shot several times. His condition was unknown. Another man and a woman inside the unit surrendered to police.
“I heard this volley of what sounded like fireworks, it was really loud,” witness Tim Orden said. “I looked outside and I saw two local fellers trying to get out of the window, then I saw the police officers running all over.”
Kajiyama would not confirm news reports that Morse was the suspect who was fatally wounded.
Police would not say how many officers fired their weapons or how many shots were fired.
The injured officer was shot in the arm and head, but was in stable condition Thursday night at The Queen’s Medical Center. KHON-TV identified the officer as Ermie Barroga.
Police believe Morse, 32, was the driver of a pickup truck that allegedly dragged an officer several feet during an altercation on Round Top Drive on May 21.
Kajiyama said the officers seemed to have acted properly.
“At this time, the use of deadly force appears justified,” Kajiyama said. “Our officers responded as they were trained to do -- that is neutralize the threat.”