This compilation of agency-provided bodycam footage depicts Hawai'i police officers responding to reports of a man with a gun following a domestic incident. The suspect flees into the rainforest nearby, where a gunfight ensues. Although obfuscated here, the suspect is shot and killed, and therefore viewer discretion is advised.

Footage begins with the officers arriving on-scene. Unfortunately, as is typical of most bodycams, audio is buffering for the first 30 seconds and not recorded. At 30 seconds, we see the camera officer glove up, presumably expecting to go hands-on or possibly check on someone involved with the reported domestic. While the officers have permission to enter the property, they encounter a locked front gate and elect to climb it. They do so slowly and methodically (for tactical reasons as well as to avoid being "the guy that busted his ass") but it isn't noiseless. This probably gives away their arrival to the suspect. Recognizing this, the officers draw their weapons.

At 02:02, they appear to form up in a stack as they go down the driveway, as if they were in a hallway. I'm not sure why this decision was made, as the area doesn't seem confined enough to warrant these tactics. However, the officers stick to their training, and the point man calls out doorways in the house as he sees them upon approach. At 02:56, an officer calls out and addresses the suspect. The suspect flees into the treeline behind the house at 03:16, and the chase is on.

At 03:51, the suspect fires a shot, but does not connect. The officer takes cover and catches his breath. At 05:24, a dangerous miscommunication occurs- "suspect in custody" is announced on the radio, leading these officers to believe their suspect is no longer a threat. However, this is anything but the case. As the officer walks through the rainforest, audible commands for the suspect to drop the weapon can be heard at 06:20. Not only is he not "in custody," he is still armed. Our officer points his weapon at the suspect at 06:26, and gunfire is exchanged. The officer goes down, hit, 06:29. He is covered, literally, by another officer as the gunfight goes on. After action reports suggest that no one other than the suspect was injured, and therefore it is reasonable to assume that the officer's vest caught the round, and he was ultimately unharmed.

At 07:13, we see the perspective of another officer on-scene. He exchanges gunfire with the suspect, expending a whole magazine. At 07:36, he calls "checking" to perform a reload. This is often taught as preferable to announcing that one is out of ammunition. At 08:45, the last shot of the incident is audible. At 10:50, the officer moves up to find the suspect. Although CPR was performed on-scene, the suspect was killed. No other persons were killed or injured.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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