The Maui Police Department said it is standing by its officers after a shooting last Thursday in Wailuku that left 40-year-old Kristopher Austin dead. Police said the incident began when Austin refused officers’ commands and pulled a gun from his waistband, leading to an armed confrontation. KHON2 reported that body camera footage from at least three officers involved in the shooting has since been released.
The Maui Police Department received a report of a terroristic threat at 7:27 p.m. While responding to another call, officers were directed to an open field at 129 Maa Street, where they encountered Austin. According to KITV, Austin dropped a bottle and then fired at the officers. The officers returned fire, and Austin was fatally shot.
At a press conference, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said officers face significant risks on duty, noting another officer died five months earlier and stating, “Had these officers not acted, they very well may have been killed.” He said that if the suspect, Austin, had survived, he would have faced multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree attempted murder. Pelletier confirmed the officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which he said is standard procedure, and added, “The well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” while the department did not release the number of shots fired, the officers’ identities, or take questions, as per KHON2.
