One apprehended, manhunt continues on Hawaii Island for 2nd suspect in officer shooting
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A manhunt is underway on Hawaii Island for a suspect after a police officer was shot in Hilo.
The suspect was identified by police as Christopher Lucrisia, 39. Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The shooting occurred just before 11 a.m. in the parking lot of a bank near Prince Kuhio Plaza.
According police, officers had been searching for Lucrisia and spotted him in the passenger seat of a white Chevy pick-up truck that was parking in the lot.
When officers approached on foot, police said Lucrisia pointed a handgun directly at police and fired at least twice, striking an officer in the right forearm and in the head.
A nearby detective returned fire, shooting at least three rounds at Lucrisia before the truck fled the scene. It is unknown if the gunfire struck Lucrisia or the truck’s driver, police said.
The injured officer was airlifted to Oahu in serious but stable condition and underwent surgery there, police said. He is a nine-year veteran assigned to the East Hawaii Vice Unit.
The search for Lucrisia triggered the evacuation of some homes near Hilo airport, and was extended to the entire island at 3 p.m. The Hawaii State Department of Education confirmed schools in the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area were placed on lockdown from 11:45 to 12:20 p.m. due to police activity.
Just after 4 p.m., police released the identity of the suspected driver, Silas Zion, 23, of Pahoa. However police confirmed just after 6 p.m. that Zion was located and taken into police custody and the truck was recovered in Mountain View.
Shyleen Dela Cruz was at the plaza with her mother and provided a written witness account of the incident: “We had witnessed it all from our vehicle, turning around the corner near the Petco entrance and the suspect violently speeding through the parking lot head on with our car and we slammed on our breaks whilst he honked and sped off faster.”
While Dela Cruz said she didn’t hear the gunshots, she saw the commotion.
“Soon after he had sped past us, we slowly approached the scene trying to get out, rolled down our window and heard yelling and screaming to get in your vehicle and seek shelter,” she wrote.
Lucrisia is described as 5-foot-10, and 250 pounds with green eyes and black hair. Anyone who sees him is urged to call 911.
His criminal record shows numerous charges for firearm and drug crimes, resisting arrest, and auto theft.
Watch the full Hawaii Police Department press conference:
Officers had been searching for Lucrisia after a series of incidents that began on Monday, March 10. Police said at around 1 a.m., Lucrisia argued with his ex-girlfriend and fired at least one round into the ground, causing superficial wounds to her legs and feet, before fleeing.
As a convicted felon, Lucrisia is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition. Police were called and initiated reckless endangering and firearms charges against him.
Then at around 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, police said Lucrisia returned to the home, entered without permission, and threatened a bedridden 75-year-old woman with a firearm and stole a bag from her bed. Police responded and initiated robbery and additional firearms cases against Lucrisia.
Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz urged Lucrisia to turn himself in peacefully.
“I urge you to call 911 and tell the police where you are so that we can negotiate some sort of peaceful surrender,” he said. “We don’t need any more violence in this case. Nobody else needs to be hurt.”
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda wasn’t so polite: “We’re going to find you and we’re going to prosecute you to the full extent.”
The detective who fired his firearm is a 17-year department veteran assigned to the East Hawaii Vice Unit. Police said he has been placed on administrative leave to ensure he is mentally, emotionally, and physically able to return to work.
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