HPD investigating deadly shooting outside Kailua Target, suspect wanted

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu police are searching for a suspect in Saturday’s fatal shooting in the Kailua Target parking lot near a festival that had hundreds in attendance.

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Police said officers responded just after 8:30 p.m. to the Kailua Target parking lot.

Investigators said two groups had been arguing at the Kailua Fall Festival before the dispute continued into the Target parking lot.

Police said someone then pulled out a firearm and shot a 30-year-old man.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the shooting, a performer on stage announced someone had died to the crowd.

“Stay your a** home if you got a handle, stay your a** home, that’s not what we’re about in Hawaii nei, here in Hawaii nei we’re all about aloha,” the performer on stage said.

For people working nearby, the timing was especially jarring.

“We left around, I think, 8:20, 8:15 around that, and I think the people say that the shot happened like about 830 so it was really close,” said Paia Fish Market manager Lucas Falcao.

“I was not expecting that, because here is so safe, and so calm. And I think yesterday we have a big party. Everyone was feeling really safe. We have a lot of police around, we didn’t expect that. And everyone here was shocked.”

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Falcao said he didn’t expect the shooting because everyone felt safe and calm.

“I was not expecting that, because here is so safe and so calm. And I think yesterday we have a big party,” he said. “Everyone was feeling really safe. We have a lot of police around; we didn’t expect that. Everyone here was shocked.”

HPD described the suspect as a local man in his late 20s who was wearing a black sweater and had his hair in two braids.

No arrest has been announced.

Kailua resident Kathy Guinovart said the shooting was sad and disheartening, but also not the first time she’s seen people riled up in the Target parking lot.

“It’s really sad and disheartening that people are so riled up and willing to be violent,” she said. “It’s not the first time I’ve been in this parking lot and heard or seen something violent.”

“As a mother, you just want to protect your kids, and it’s really sad to hear about the families being affected. I just hope that people can find a solution and relax,” she added.

Hawaii News Now did see the victim’s family at the parking lot Sunday. They did not want to speak, but are asking for privacy as they grieve.

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The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.