A tragic night unfolded in Maui on Friday when a police officer was shot and killed while responding to an active shooter near the historic sugar mill in Paia, on the island’s north shore.
According to the Maui Police Department, officers rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a man firing a rifle. When they arrived, the suspect opened fire, fatally striking one officer in the chest.
The officer’s identity has not yet been released out of respect for her family. The suspect, who was wounded during the exchange of gunfire, was taken into custody and remains under guard.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier described the fallen officer as a true hero and a shining example of the profession.
“She was the finest of us, and we are grateful for her,” Pelletier said. “This is an absolute tragedy… a dark day for the Maui Police Department and our entire community.”
The department released a statement mourning the devastating loss, asking for privacy for the officer’s family and patience from the community as details continue to emerge.
The incident has shaken Maui residents, who are unaccustomed to violence of this nature. Chief Pelletier emphasized that while officers are trained for dangerous situations, the reality of losing one of their own is “absolutely heartbreaking.”
