{"id":2359,"date":"2026-07-08T09:04:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2359"},"modified":"2026-07-08T09:04:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:04:40","slug":"kauai-residents-question-police-response-to-murder-case-manhunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2359","title":{"rendered":"Kauai residents question police response to murder case, manhunt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<section>\n<p>K\u012aLAUEA, Kaua\u02bbi (HawaiiNewsNow) &#8211; Residents on Kaua\u02bbi\u2019s north shore demanded answers Monday night about the police department\u2019s handling of a multi-day manhunt for a murder suspect.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2357\">H-1 Freeway to shut down overnight Saturday for bridge installation<\/a><\/p>\n<p>William \u201cBilly\u201d Sinclair, 51, was indicted on 28 counts, including murder in the shooting death of Sergio Reyes Hernandez, 37, known as \u201cTito Reyes,\u201d and attempted murder.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, police said Sinclair allegedly shot and killed Hernandez at a restaurant in Hanalei, then led authorities on a two-day manhunt that ended in the ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Police said he also shot at another person, who was grazed by a bullet.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>In K\u012blauea Monday, a former co-worker spoke to police through tears.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTito was like a brother to me. He was the most amazing man you\u2019ve ever known. He was always there for me and my kids. There\u2019s no bad bone in his body,\u201d said Pancha Cedillo.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey knew that Billy shot Tito at midnight, 12:30, whatever time. Why did you guys not go to where Billy\u2019s house was at that time? Can you guys answer that for me?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n<p>Police Chief Rudy Tai acknowledged the community\u2019s frustration and apologized for the trauma surrounding the case.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2356\">Temporary pedestrian bridge installation to close part of H-1 Saturday<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tai said an unrelated attempted murder investigation in Waimea pulled officers to the west side shortly before the homicide was reported. He also cited ongoing staffing shortages that affected the department\u2019s ability to quickly deploy resources to K\u012blauea.<\/p>\n<p>During the meeting, residents questioned why police did not do more to seize Sinclair\u2019s firearms despite his felony record. Police said there were 24 prior reports involving Sinclair, as well as several temporary restraining order petitions.<\/p>\n<p>Community members also raised concerns about the police investigation into the sudden death of one of Sinclair\u2019s neighbors. Police said there were no signs of foul play, but several residents said they believe the case was mishandled.<\/p>\n<p>Sinclair remains in custody without bail. He has pleaded not guilty, and his jury trial is scheduled to begin in late September.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2354\">West Maui Sports &amp; Fishing Supply reopens in Lahaina nearly 3 years after fire<\/a><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2>Previous coverage<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kaua\u02bbi north shore residents pressed police in a heated meeting over the multi-day manhunt for murder suspect William \u201cBilly\u201d Sinclair and the department\u2019s response.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kauai residents question police response to murder case, manhunt - 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