Hawaii County police shot a Hilo man late Saturday night after he allegedly drove towards them in downtown Hilo during an incident that left one bystander injured.

Police said the incident began when the suspect’s speeding sedan struck a stopped police vehicle just before midnight at the intersection of Kilauea Avenue and Mamo Street.

The suspect continued driving along Kilauea Avenue, striking a parked car and injuring a 27-year-old Ookala woman who was standing next to it, police said.

According to a police report, the suspect then reversed his car, driving toward the police officers who had exited their vehicle. Both officers fired shots at the approaching car.

Despite taking gunfire, the suspect drove off until he was stopped by the pursuing officers at the intersection of Haihai and Kinoole streets, where they arrested James Salai, 31, of Hilo on suspicion of terroristic threatening.

Salai was taken to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds, but later transferred to Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition.

Neither of the police officers was injured during the incident.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or wcarter@co.hawaii.hi.us. 

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.