A manhunt intensified Tuesday as Honolulu police released a composite sketch and surveillance photos of the suspect wanted in last Friday's sulfuric acid attack that left a 30-year-old man critically burned while crossing the street in Chinatown. The seemingly random assault near the intersection of North Hotel Street and Smith Street has shaken a community already grappling with previous acid attacks that rocked Oahu in recent years.
According to Honolulu Star-Advertiser, police are asking for the public's help in finding the suspect in Friday night's attack. The suspect is described as 6-foot tall and in his 20s to 30s with a slim build, wearing a long-sleeved blue hooded Dri-Fit shirt, black pants, black athletic shoes and black-framed glasses. He carried a black backpack and was holding a red or maroon Hydroflask.
Attack Details and Victim Condition
As reported by Fox News, officers responded to an assault complaint shortly after 10 p.m. in the Chinatown area. Witnesses told officers the victim was crossing the street when an unidentified suspect approached and threw an unknown liquid into his face. The Honolulu Fire Department later tested the liquid and confirmed it to be sulfuric acid, a highly corrosive chemical that causes severe burns to skin, eyes and internal tissue.
According to Honolulu Star-Advertiser, police spokesperson Thoemmes said the victim has been upgraded from critical to serious condition. The victim did not know the suspect, suggesting this was a random attack.
Pattern of Acid Attacks Alarms Community
This latest attack comes at a time when Oahu residents are still processing the aftermath of previous acid attacks. A January 2024 attack near Ala Moana Center left a woman critically injured, while authorities also investigated a 2023 acid attack in Mililani, as detailed by Hoodline.
The previous attacks were part of what authorities called a murder-for-hire plot. An Oahu grand jury indicted 22-year-old Sebastian Mahkwan and 22-year-old Paul Cameron in connection with the January 2024 attack outside the Ala Moana area Planet Fitness, which investigators said was aimed at casting doubt on Cameron's attempted murder case from a 2023 acid attack on his ex-girlfriend in Mililani.
Community Safety Concerns
The attack has left Chinatown residents and business owners on edge. "That's insane," said one resident outside a Chinatown restaurant. "How do you get ahold of acid? Doesn't make any sense. It's turning like the mainland. Hawaii has always been the safest place."
According to Hoodline, Chinatown business and community leaders have pushed for more patrols and upgraded surveillance after a string of violent incidents, and the city has installed modern cameras and signage across the district in recent years. Advocates say improved monitoring can aid investigations and deter attacks, but community outreach and resources for vulnerable residents remain critical.
Investigation and Legal Implications
As reported by Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the charge for the attack could range from first-degree assault to attempted murder. HPD described the case as a first-degree assault, a serious felony in Hawaii.
Investigators are working to determine whether this attack is connected to the previous cases. Thoemmes said it was too early in the investigation to tell whether this case was related to the 2024 and 2023 attacks. "Right now, detectives are canvassing the scene to recover any surveillance video and locate any additional witnesses," according to Fox News.
"Policing works best with the community by our side," police spokesperson Thoemmes emphasized. Anyone with information, video or photos is asked to call 911, contact CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300 or submit tips through the P3 Tips app. Police urge the public not to approach the suspect if spotted.
