Honolulu police Tuesday arrested a 35-year-old man after he allegedly attacked a 29-year-old male passenger with a hatchet on a city bus.
Police responded to the attack at approximately
4:10 a.m. Tuesday on the bus, on Nimitz Highway near the intersection of
Peltier Avenue.
Police said the suspect, for unknown reasons, became unruly. His actions prompted several passengers to restrain him.
When he calmed down, the passengers released him and were walking away to return to their seats when the perpetrator brandished a hatchet and allegedly struck the male passenger once in the back of the head.
City spokesman Andrew Pereira said the bus was in transit with a full load of passengers at the time of the attack. The bus driver pulled over when a scuffle ensued between the two men outside of the bus.
“I’m told the bus driver acted quickly and appropriately and notified authorities right away,” Pereira said.
Emergency Medical
Services responded and treated the victim, who sustained a 3-inch laceration to his head. He was taken in
serious condition to a trauma hospital.
Police arrived at the scene, where multiple witnesses identified the suspect as the assailant.
Officers recovered the hatchet and arrested the suspect on suspicion of second-degree assault. Police also recovered the surveillance video on the bus.
The suspect was released pending further investigation.
Police said the victim declined to press charges. Still, charges could be brought against the suspect via the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
The prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the case.
Generally, charges can be brought against an individual by the prosecutor’s office if there is independent evidence that proves a crime has been committed.
