2 women wanted for questioning in officer-involved shooting in Puna

Two women are wanted for questioning in connection with an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday in the Puna District.

Jerrilyn Ann Rego and Larissa Naleikailima Padamada are both 26 years old, last known to reside in the Kaʻu District.

Rego is described as 5-foot-2, 120 pounds, with a slim build, black hair, brown eyes, and a lightly tanned complexion. She has numerous tattoos, including a “tribal” tattoo on her upper right arm, “Chelbie” on her outer right forearm, and “Rego” on the right side of her neck. Padamada is described as 5-foot-6, 200 pounds, with a heavy build, brown hair and brown eyes, with a tanned complexion.

On Wednesday, at around 10 p.m., police responded to a request for assistance at a convenience store parking lot in Kurtistown.

Upon arrival, the officer observed a man and woman involved in a struggle near a vehicle. The vehicle then struck the man who dropped toward the ground and disappeared from the officer’s view. In the process of fleeing, the suspect’s vehicle also struck the officer’s vehicle. The officer fired two shots toward the suspect’s vehicle which was later found abandoned in the Glenwood area.

The victim that was struck by the suspect’s vehicle is a 54-year-old man from Kea‘au. He was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where he was treated and later released.

Police have initiated a second degree assault investigation, as well as several traffic related violations.

As is standard practice in any police shooting, a criminal investigation and an administrative investigation are pending. The officer who fired his weapon has just less than two years of law enforcement experience.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident or knows the whereabouts of Rego or Padamada contact Detective Dean Uyetake of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2379 or dean.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov. 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 $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.