HONOLULU — Honolulu Police Department officers responded to the Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites at Nohonani Street and Kuhio Avenue Thursday afternoon after a man barricaded himself in his unit, police said.
For reasons yet unknown, a mainland visitor with a handgun refused to come out of his room. After hours of negotiations, the suspect refused to drop his handgun and advanced towards the SWAT team, a law enforcement source told Spectrum News Hawaii. The SWAT team members first fired using less lethal rounds, but the suspect continued to put up a fight, so the SWAT members fired again, said the source.
The suspect was then taken to a hospital and died early Friday morning. The source also confirmed there were no hostages.
The Ohia Waikiki was partially evacuated on Thursday. The building includes short-term rentals and hotel rooms. Streets surrounding the hotel were cordoned off from vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic in the area was at a standstill.
The Honolulu Police Department was on the scene and advised people to avoid the area.
Today, at about 2pm, officers responded to the Ohia Waikiki at Nohonani St. & Kuhio Ave. for a male barricaded in his unit. There were reports of shots fired. The building has been partially evacuated. HPD is on scene and info will be updated. Please avoid the area and be safe.
— Honolulu Police (@honolulupolice) December 9, 2022
No details were provided about the suspect or suspects or if anyone was inside the unit with the suspect.
WAIKIKI UPDATE:D
— Danielle Tucker (@dt808traffic) December 9, 2022
Kuhio Avenue is CLOSED in both directions from Royal Hawaiian Ave down to Nahua.
HPD investigation. Barricade situation.
Traffic is very, very slow into and out of Waikiki. Avoid if can #hitraffic
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with new information from a law enforcement source. (December 9, 2022)