Suspect in fatal Ewa Beach shooting surrenders to Sheriff’s deputies
Update, 9:24 p.m.
Sheriff Deputies from the Special Operations Section Fugitive Unit took Patrick Tuputala into custody at 7:10 p.m. on Puuloa Road near Nimitz Highway, according to a statement from the state Department of Public Safety.
The Sheriffs fugitive unit acted on tips, located Tuputala and convinced him to turn himself in. He was taken into Sheriff custody without incident, based on a police alert, according to the state.
“The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division wants to acknowledge the joint effort and close collaboration with our Honolulu Police partners to pursue tips, locate Tuputala and bring about a peaceful end to this search,” said State Sheriff William Oku Jr., in a statement.
Deputies transported Tuputala to the Sheriff Division Keawe Street booking and receiving station for holding where was turned over to HPD, according to the release.
8:10 p.m.
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State Sheriff deputies helped negotiate the surrender of Ewa Beach murder suspect Patrick Tuputala through a confidential source shortly after 7 p.m. tonight.
Deputies worked to arrange Tuputala’s surrender at a location near the airport. Tuputala was taken to the Sheriff’s Keawe Street office before police took him into custody and arrested him on suspicion of second-degree murder.
7:30 p.m.
Honolulu police are looking for a 34-year-old man in connection with fatal shooting of a 57-year-old resident manager in the parking lot of a housing complex in Ewa Beach this morning.
Patrick Tuputala, described by police as Samoan, standing five feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds was last seen dressed in a Black long sleeve jacket and red and black athletic shorts. He is wanted on suspicion of murder in the second degree.
At about 8:30 this morning, Honolulu police officers and paramedics were sent to Puamaole Street in Ewa Beach to attend to a 57-year- old male gunshot victim. The man was treated at the scene before being transported in critical condition to a hospital where he died, according to police.
The man worked as a resident manager overseeing rentals at the property where he was killed.
Witnesses told police that the victim was arguing with another man when he was shot. Tuputala allegedly fled in a light-colored, 2013 silver Kia Rio, with a license plate that reads RWW 504.
Tuputala is considered armed and dangerous and police cautioned the public not to approach him. Call 911 or CrimeStoppers immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300. The public may now send anonymous web tips to www.honolulucrimestoppers.org or via the P3 Tips App.
Previous coverage
Police are investigating a possible homicide after a 57-year-old resident manager of a housing complex in Ewa Beach was fatally shot this morning in the property’s parking lot.
The Honolulu Police Department sent investigators to the scene at the Palm Villas townhouses community on Puamaeole Street. HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes of the department’s homicide detail told reporters at the scene that the victim was a man who worked as a resident manager overseeing rentals. The suspect, a white man between ages 40 and 50, fled the scene in a small gray or white sedan, Thoemmes said. Witnesses heard two men arguing followed by three to four gunshots, she said.
“This does not appear to be a random act,” Thoemmes said. “We do not know the circumstances yet.” This is “one of the first murders that we’ve come to” in this area, she said.
Police records indicate the shooting, which occurred at about 8:30 a.m., was initially reported as an aggravated assault.
Emergency Medical Services administered advanced life support and transported the victim in critical condition to an area hospital, where he later died.