KAPAʻA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A suspect is in custody following a multi-day, island-wide search tied to an active homicide investigation on Kauaʻi.

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William “Billy” Robert Sinclair, 51, was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder after a police pursuit that ended in the ocean off Kapaʻa.

Suspect linked to homicide in Hanalei

Police said the investigation began in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 6, when officers responded to a report of a suspicious death in the Hanalei area.

The victim was found dead at his place of employment and the incident was classified as a homicide, police said.

Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai said the victim was a 37-year-old man who lived in Kīlauea. Tai said police are not releasing the victim’s name because family notification is still pending.

Detectives gathered information indicating the victim and Sinclair were involved in an ongoing financial dispute, and Sinclair was identified as a person of interest, according to Kauaʻi Police Assistant Chief Darren Rose.

Watch the full press conference with the Kauaʻi Police Department:

Reports of gunfire, search operations

While the Hanalei scene was being processed, officers received multiple reports of gunfire at a residence associated with Sinclair in the Kīlauea area.

Assistant Chief Rose said officers made contact with Sinclair’s significant other and observed Sinclair in the driveway with what appeared to be a rifle before he re-entered the residence.

Rose said nearby residents were secured and people in the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution. Officers conducted a search of the residence, but did not find Sinclair.

Police later discovered that, during the early morning hours, another individual sustained a non-life-threatening injury consistent with a grazing gunshot wound.

Rose said Sinclair was identified as a person of interest in both incidents.

Manhunt ends after suspect enters ocean

On Sunday, June 7, officers responded to a report of a motorcycle matching the one Sinclair was last seen operating at the Kapaʻa Skate Park. Officers confirmed the motorcycle belonged to Sinclair and seized it as evidence.

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A department social media post described Sinclair as an “armed and dangerous fugitive” and asked area residents and visitors to shelter in place while officers conducted search operations.

On Monday, June 8, police said officers found Sinclair near the Kapaʻa Public Library and a pursuit followed, during which Sinclair entered the ocean.

Rose said officers maintained contact with Sinclair and, with assistance from crisis negotiators, negotiated his surrender before taking him into custody at around 9:55 a.m.

Chief Tai said Sinclair had a handgun in his jacket when he was apprehended in the water.

Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Officials address public concerns

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami said officials understood the search caused concern, fear, and frustration in the community.

“We understand people wanted information as quickly as possible, and we recognize how unsettling this situation was for residents across our island,” he said. “While there was a strong desire for updates throughout the search, law enforcement also had the responsibility of protecting the integrity of an active investigation.”

When asked how Sinclair evaded capture earlier in Kīlauea, Chief Tai said police established a perimeter, but later determined he likely left the area before it was fully set.

“We try to lock down a scene as quick as we can. That was a difficult location to set up a perimeter because of neighboring residents, but we tried our best,” Tai said.

Regarding public updates, Tai said police were focused on apprehending the suspect, noting that the department posted on Facebook before issuing an official release as “a quick way to get (the information) out.”

“Our goal is to apprehend this individual and get that information out as quick as possible. As we move forward, we’re going to make a conscious effort to do that,” Tai added.

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