Officer-involved Shooting in Ocean View Results in Fatality

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An officer-involved shooting that took place Wednesday afternoon in Ocean View has left one man dead and an officer injured, prompting an investigation by the Hawaiʻi Police Department. The deceased individual has been identified as Nafetelai Teisina, 31, from Ocean View.

The incident unfolded at approximately 4:10 p.m. when an officer, stationed in his vehicle, received information from a woman regarding a suspected vehicle theft in a parking lot on Māmalahoa Highway. As the officers attempted to engage with Teisina, he fled into a challenging area of dense brush and lava rock. Pursuing officers became separated during the search, and one officer reported hearing gunshots.

Upon tracing the sound, that officer discovered another officer with a bleeding arm and Teisina lying unresponsive on the ground. Reports indicate Teisina hurled rocks at the second officer, who responded with verbal commands and attempted to use a taser, which proved ineffective. Subsequently, the officer discharged his firearm. Despite attempts to provide life-saving measures afterwards, Teisina was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 5:23 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. The injured officer was taken to Kaʻū Community Hospital and later released.

This incident has prompted the department’s Office of Professional Standards to initiate a critical incident review, a standard procedure following officer-involved shootings. The officer who discharged his weapon has been with the department for under a year and is currently on administrative leave to ensure his well-being prior to returning to duty.

Authorities encourage anyone with information on this case to contact the department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.