A 46-year-old Wailuku man who allegedly exchanged gunfire with police during a traffic stop Saturday and then shot himself had been on the run from the law for seven months.
The man, identified by police as Shawn Akamine, was wanted on a bench warrant issued in November, when he failed to appear in court on drug charges and bail jumping. Trial had been set for Dec. 1, 2014.
Maui County Deputy Prosecutor Kenton Werk said authorities had been actively looking for Akamine since that time. He last showed up in court in September.
Akamine was trying to get into drug treatment but failed to report to the Maui Intake Service Center for random drug testing, Werk said. He tested positive for methamphetamines in November, he said.
"It’s just a tragedy what drugs do," he said. "It destroys their lives. It’s a sad situation."
Police spokesman Lt. William Juan said Monday the Criminal Investigation Division confirmed through witnesses that Akamine shot himself Saturday during the altercation with police.
The shooting occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Lower Main Street near Hookahi Street after the sport utility vehicle he was in was pulled over in the parking lot of Discount Mini Mart.
When police stopped the SUV, a passenger immediately got out and an exchange of gunfire occurred, police said.
Police said an investigation revealed the passenger shot at officers while fleeing, and officers returned fire and struck him.
One witness, Alfred Ayers, told Hawaii News Now that police struck Akamine in the leg and he fell. Akamine then turned the gun on himself, he said.
Juan said Monday an autopsy was conducted, but a report is pending.
Akamine was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he later died.
Police took the SUV driver into custody for questioning, and the driver was later released pending further investigation. No one else was injured in the incident.
