The Honolulu Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a recent acid attack that occurred in Chinatown. Marquis Johnson, 34, turned himself in at approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday, August 17, as reported on the official Honolulu Police Department Facebook page. Johnson was apprehended by detectives from the Strategic Enforcement Detail and taken into custody for Assault in the First Degree, with charges pending review by the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
The arrest follows an intense manhunt after the acid attack on August 8, which left a 30-year-old man with severe burns. The incident took place near North Hotel Street, where the victim was approached by an assailant who threw sulfuric acid on him, causing critical injuries. According to Hoodline's earlier report, the victim did not recognize his attacker, which suggested that the assault was random.
Johnson's surrender and arrest have brought some relief to the Chinatown community, which has been on edge since the attack. A pattern of violence with past acid assaults has left residents and business owners concerned about their safety. In January 2024, a similar acid incident occurred near Ala Moana Center, and in 2023, an attack in Mililani was allegedly part of a murder-for-hire plot, as detailed by Spectrum Local News. These attacks have prompted calls for increased patrols and better surveillance in the area.
Though charges against Johnson are pending, the Honolulu Police Department is continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack and whether there is any connection to the previous acid attacks. "I’m just going off what we know, and what we do know is the victim said he did not know him," HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON2. "That’s what we were told, but that may change depending on how the investigation progresses."
