Two officers shot dead and landlord stabbed by man being evicted
A Hawaii man who was facing eviction is believed to have stabbed his landlord and shot dead two police officers before the house he was living in was destroyed by fire.
Police responding to a call for help found a woman who had been stabbed in the leg and resident Jerry Hanel who then opened fire, killing officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama.
Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard said it is believed Hanel and two women were inside the house when he set it on fire.
The blaze spread to several other residences, destroying seven homes in the area close to Oahu’s busy Waikiki Beach.
Chief Ballard told a news conference: “On behalf of the men and women of the Honolulu Police Department, our deepest condolences go out to the families.
“They were like my kids. They were with me for five years at receiving desk when I was major there.
“So when they first came into the department up until I made chief, I knew them personally.”
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She said Hanel was believed to be inside the property when it was set alight but it could take days to recover any remains.
Governor David Ige said: “Our entire state mourns the loss of two Honolulu Police officers killed in the line of duty this morning.”
Court documents show Hanel, who had no permits to own firearms, had a history of erratic behaviour and making false 911 reports.
