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Woman, 25, critically hurt in chemical attack near Ala Moana Center

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Honolulu police Lt. Deena Thoemmes speaks to reporters today about the chemical attack on a 25-year-old woman near Ala Moana Center on Tuesday night.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Honolulu police Lt. Deena Thoemmes speaks to reporters today about the chemical attack on a 25-year-old woman near Ala Moana Center on Tuesday night.

UPDATE: 2:45 p.m.

A 25-year-old woman told witnesses that an unknown man threw a liquid on her as she was walking on the sidewalk outside Planet Fitness near Ala Moana Center Tuesday night, Honolulu Police Department’s homicide Lt. Deena Thoemmes said.

Speaking at an afternoon news conference at HPD headquarters, Thoemmes said police are continuing to investigate and are unsure whether the chemical attack was random or not.

Thoemmes said the chemical was thrown on most of the front of her body.

The woman ran into Planet Fitness where people tried to help her until paramedics arrived.

When paramedics arrived, they were able to speak to her, but she fell unconscious shortly afterward and remains unconscious and in critical condition, Thoemmes said.

The attacker was seen fleeing on foot toward Kapiolani Boulevard.

He was described as a man in his 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches, 160 to 180 pounds, with a medium build, wearing a black hooded jacket, camoflauge pants and a white face mask. He was last seen shirtless, riding a bicycle with a black backpack from Kona Street onto Keeaumoku Street, she said.

Previous coverage

A 25-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday night after someone threw a chemical liquid on her near Ala Moana Center.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services paramedics responded at 9:19 p.m. after the woman was “assaulted with unknown chemical” near Kapiolani Boulevard and Ala Moana Center. Paramedics provided advanced life support and transported her to hospital, EMS said.

A brief Honolulu police summary of the attack said, “The victim was walking on the sidewalk when an unknown male threw a liquid substance on her causing injuries. The suspect fled the scene.”

Police have opened a second-degree attempted murder investigation in the case.

They said the incident occurred in the “Ala Moana area” but did not give the exact location. Police did not release a description of the suspect.

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