The Kauai Police Department said Thursday its initial review of the fatal shooting of a wanted man Wednesday night in Omao indicates its officers acted appropriately.
A police officer shot Richard "Dickie" Louis at his home at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday after Louis threatened to kill the officer with a metal object, a police news release said.
Louis, 62, was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where he died at 12:54 a.m. Thursday, police said.
Louis had been sought on a $310,000 warrant for failing to appear at his Dec. 5 trial. A jury found him guilty in absentia on theft, firearm and drug-related charges stemming from a 2007 incident.
At about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, police and members of the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force arrived at Louis’ home on Punee Road to try to arrest him.
He barricaded himself in his home with a woman, and police and crisis negotiators surrounded the house and tried to persuade him to surrender, police said.
The woman safely exited the home at about 5:45 p.m. An hour later Louis was seen on the roof of the home in an aggressive and agitated state, police said. When an officer approached Louis and tried to detain him, Louis then grabbed a metal object and threatened to kill the officer, police said. The officer then shot Louis.
Acting Police Chief Michael Contrades said Thursday the department "is currently conducting a full investigation of yesterday’s shooting. We will involve the appropriate outside agencies to ensure an expeditious and fair review. Based on the information available to us at this time, it appears that the officers involved acted appropriately."
HawaiiNewsNow Video: Kauai man shot, killed following police standoff
