UPDATE
Authorities on Molokai arrested a man who fled with a handgun after getting into a scuffle while trying to talk to soldiers at Schofield Barracks Thursday, officials said.
No shots were fired on the Oahu Army base, but the Army treated it as an “active shooter situation” and Schofield and Wheeler Army Airfield were placed on lockdown for several hours, said Michael Donnelly, a spokesperson for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
Army officials identified the man as 27-year-old Paul A. Smith.
Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico said police took Smith into custody “without incident” on Molokai around 8 p.m. Thursday. Police didn’t say whether he was armed when he was arrested.
Molokai is about 25 miles southeast of Oahu and 9 miles northwest of Maui.
The Army worked with the Honolulu Police Department to find the suspect, Donnelly said. The man was last seen near the Schofield commissary on a bike.
He was “trying to allegedly talk with soldiers,” Donnelly said. “I don’t know if he was bartering or selling stuff, but someone confronted him, and they got into a scuffle. There was a handgun witnessed, visible.”
Two public schools on Schofield — Daniel K. Inouye Elementary and Solomon Elementary — were placed on lockdown also. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. as children were leaving for the day, and staff, students and parents were secured indoors.
About 60,000 people are on Schofield, including soldiers, civilians, workers, contractors and families. Combined with Wheeler, the population is more than 90,000.
Schofield Barracks returned to normal operations Thursday evening, the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii said, adding that an investigation about the man was ongoing.
Thursday 10 p.m.
Hawaii News Now and KHON reported that the suspect, identified by law enforcement officials as Paul A. Smith, was arrested this evening on Molokai. No further details were available from either Honolulu or Maui County police.
Officials said the “active shooter situation” was triggered when a man fled with a handgun after getting into a scuffle while trying to talk to soldiers at Schofield Barracks.
The suspect was “trying to allegedly talk with soldiers,” said Michael Donnelly, a spokesperson for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. “I don’t know if he was bartering or selling stuff, but someone confronted him and they got into a scuffle. There was a handgun witnessed, visible.” No shots were fired.
5 p.m.
A shelter-in-place order at Schofield Barracks from earlier this afternoon has been lifted after there was no longer a threat on base, while authorities continue hunting for a possible armed man.
Law enforcement officials have identified the potential suspect as Paul A. Smith last known driving a white Prius sedan. Reports of shots were never confirmed on the installation.
DES and HPD completed an extensive search while clearing facilities on the installation.
Law enforcement will be positioned around schools and neighborhoods to facilitate a phased release from facilities on Schofield Barracks. As facilities are released, please expect delays with anticipated traffic.
Law enforcement officials will continue their investigation both on and off the installation.
If you have information about the suspect, contact DES at 808-655-5555.
EARLIER COVERAGE
The Army’s Schofield Barracks is currently under lockdown as authorities search for a possible armed man on the base.
The suspect’s last potential location was reported near the PX/Commissary area at approximately 3:20 p.m. and individuals were urged to shelter in place, according to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
“If you see an individual matching the following description, do not approach the individual and call 808-655-7114 or 5555,” according to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
The Schofield Barracks Directorate of Emergency Services has issued an initial description as “a 5’10” light skinned male, approximately 25-35 years old with a Mohawk type haircut, a button down aloha shirt, light blue jeans, tan Nike foam shoes with a red swoosh, and a multicam cross body bag.”
The lockdown started at about 2:30 p.m. “Reports of potential shots have not been confirmed,” according to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
A media alert from the Honolulu Fire Department said that there had been a “Probable Active Shooter Incident” on the base with the 911 call reported from Kolekole Avenue. An Army spokesperson confirmed that the man is believed to be a shooter, but did not have any other details to offer.
Solomon Elementary School and Daniel K. Inouye Elementary Schools were locked down around the time the schools were being dismissed and students were being picked up, and children as well as some adults were brought indoors as a precaution, the state Department of Education said.
No injuries were reported at the schools.
“The whole point is to keep them secure,” DOE Communications Specialist Derek Inoshita said.
The schools were still in active lockdown, Inoshita said at 3:30.
Both schools have students in kindergarten through grade 5. Solomon Elementary enrolls 718 children, and Inouye Elementary enrolls 623.
