Two Police Officers Fatally Shot in Honolulu Crime Spree
Richard Moorhead
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Two police officers were killed in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Sunday, in a crime spree that also resulted in the destruction of two homes through arson.
A suspect has been named as 69-year old Jerry Hanel, who is said to have began his violent crime spree after stabbing his landlord. He began setting fire to residences in his neighborhood, and opening fire on police officers responding to the incident.
Up to four homes are set afire by Hanel, with at least two of them fully destroyed. Reports indicate that Hanel died in a structure he set aflame during the crime spree.
Hawaii News Now reports that Hanel had a history of violent crime and making false police reports. If the suspect had a felony criminal record, he was ineligible to legally own a firearm. If so, it’s unclear how he would have obtained a firearm to use against law enforcement in the midst of his violent arson spree.
Witnesses on scene described a chaotic situation, from which first responders and law enforcement were seen being evacuated from the site to receive medical treatment. One bystander saw a police officer receiving CPR treatment from firefighters after inhaling fumes from within a burning home. Hanel’s rampage took place in Honolulu’s Diamond Head neighborhood.
Aerial photography of the event showed a massive trail of smoke rising from the neighborhood, in an image that almost seemed to suggest more of a large-scale terroristic event.
Big League Politics will continue to monitor the situation, and will update the public on the possibility of Hanel’s violent criminal record.
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