Hawaii Police Department Chief Reed Mahuna said the man shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday afternoon in Ocean View threatened the officer’s life and injured him with a large lava rock.

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Hawaii Police Department Chief Reed Mahuna said the man shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday afternoon in Ocean View threatened the officer’s life and injured him with a large lava rock.

The shooting victim has been identified by police as 31-year-old Nafetalai Teisina of Ocean View.

“A man lost his life. The family has been notified, and they’re grieving, and I extend to them our sincerest condolences,” Mahuna said at a press conference Thursday afternoon in Hilo.

The chief said the two responding officers — who arrived separately at the Malama Market store on Mamalahoa Highway — were “were flagged down by a woman in the parking lot.”

The woman reported her sunglasses were stolen and identified Teisina as the suspect, Mahuna said. He added that Teisina fled into a nearby lava field with “brush and sharp terrain,” prompting a search by the officers.

“During the search, officers became separated, and one officer subsequently located the suspect. The officer ordered the suspect to stop, and the suspect did not comply. The officer drew his Taser and, after repeated warnings, deployed it multiple times — but those deployments were ineffective.

“During the encounter, the suspect told the officer that he was going to kill him. The suspect then picked up several large lava rocks. The officer then transitioned to his firearm, continuing to urge the suspect to stop and put the rocks down.”

Mahuna said that Teisina threw several rocks at the officer, who — with less than a year of service — was recently assigned to Ka‘u Patrol Division after graduating from the department’s training academy.

“The first missed the officer. The second struck the officer in the forearm as he attempted to deflect it,” Mahuna said. “The officer fired his service weapon twice, striking the suspect. According to a preliminary account, the suspect continued to throw rocks after being shot, and the officer attempted to take him into custody.

”The officer immediately called for assistance and rendered medical aid, but despite these efforts, the suspect died at the scene.”

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An autopsy on Teisina’s body is scheduled for today and, according to Mahuna, a toxicology report might shed light on why the Taser — which Mahuna said hit Teisina — didn’t affect him.

Court records indicate Teisina has prior convictions for misdemeanor assault and petty misdemeanor theft but no felony convictions in Hawaii.

The officer, who was treated and released at Ka‘u Hospital, is on paid administrative leave while two investigations — an internal investigation by the Office of Professional Standards and a criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigation Section — are conducted, standard practice in a police-involved shooting.

“We’re grateful he was treated and released, and he’s expected to make a full recovery,” Mahuna said.

Mahuna said the officer’s injury is severe enough to sideline him temporarily even if the the fatal shooting hadn’t occurred. He added that the circumstances currently known by police officials would suggest the officer’s actions were justifiable.

“There are several circumstances that dictate whether or not deadly force is appropriate. And in this case, there are circumstances that are occurring — where the officer was, the fact that he had no ability to retreat due to the terrain, the nature in which he was being attacked with the rocks,” Mahuna said. “I would say that a rock hitting someone is absolutely able to cause death or serious bodily injury. And in this particular case, it does not appear at this time that the officer had an alternative, given the circumstances and the way things played out.”

The chief praised his officers, who he said “respond to uncertain and often dangerous situations in service to this island.”

“This incident is an example of that very danger,” Mahuna noted.

Body camera footage of the incident will be released “as soon as possible,” according to Mahuna.

“I recognize that our community will have questions, and seeing the footage is an important part of understanding what occurred,” he said. “Our responsibility is to examine the incident carefully and accurately and be transparent about what we share and what remains under investigation. At the center of this incident are a lost life, a grieving family and an injured officer. As we move forward, we must do so with compassion, care and respect for all those that are involved.

“An incident like this affects families, our officers, the community we serve — and it deserves careful investigation and a clear explanation of what we know.”

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Email John Burnett at [email protected].