After a day-long manhunt, Big Island officers came up empty-handed in their search for a 41-year-old suspect who’s wanted in connection with two separate shootings, including one involving officers.
Police identified the suspect as Walter Gomes III, of Kona, and say he should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
They believe he’s hiding out in Hawi, though the search ― on land and by air ― stretches from North Kohala to Kailua-Kona.
Police said they started looking for Gomes on Wednesday night, after a woman was taken to Kona Community Hospital in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound.
The woman was in serious condition, police said.
About 2 a.m., patrol officers found Gomes in a vehicle near Maiau Street in Kona.
Police said Gomes refused to comply with officers’ commands and drove his vehicle toward them, striking a police patrol car. Three officers discharged their firearms, but it wasn’t clear if they hit Gomes.
No officers were injured in the incident.
Police chased the suspect toward South Kohala, but the suspect was able to get away.
Gomes was last seen in a white 2003 white Cadillac Escalade, with license plate number ZFC915.
Residents who spot Gomes are being urged to stay away from him, and instead immediately call police.
Gomes is no stranger to the law. He has been arrested for a number of crimes, including resisting arrest, family abuse, terroristic threatening, gun and drug violations.
Police said the three officers who discharged their weapons are on administrative leave, per department policy.
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