HONOLULU --
The Honolulu Police Department said one of its officers shot and killed a man on Wednesday who they said was suspected of car theft at the Pearlridge Center.
Investigators said the incident occurred in the parking lot above a Denny's restaurant at about 3:15 p.m.
The man described as being in his 40s died at the scene, officials said. Two police officers were injured, including one who was treated for a broken arm, an Emergency Medical Services spokesman said.
Police said the man who was fatally shot is a well-known area criminal who had the unfortunate timing of having two crime reduction units doing surveillance work nearby, KITV reported.
Authorities said the officers were doing undercover work on a home-invasion case when they got a call about a car break-in in progress. Police said the undercover officers followed the man onto the property and allegedly caught him breaking into a car. When the officers moved in to make an arrest, authorities said he jumped into his car and tried to escape.
"The individual fled with one of the officers dragging him in his vehicle. The second officer almost got struck by the suspect which resulted in the suspect driving into a third officer's vehicle, before the fourth officer fired multiple shots, fatally killing the suspect," said Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa.
Investigators said a total of five shots were fired.
Many in a nearby business center said they were horrified to witness the shooting just outside their window.
"I saw the officer right by the passenger door of that car trying to shoot inside of the car," said witness Annette Oasay. "When he was shooting I was trying to call 911 because I didn't actually know it was a police officer."
"I heard gunshots, multiple gun shots. By they time we ran over to the window we saw the policeman with the person on the ground," said witness Craig Hiyakumoto.
Police said the man -- whose name has not been released -- has 18 prior convictions including two felony convictions for auto theft.
KITV was told that the man received two gunshot wounds to his head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The two police officers were treated for minor injuries.
Honolulu's police chief is defending his officer's actions, calling Wednesday's shooting justifiable use of force.
"In this case it appears that the force was reasonable. Given the facts that were given to me today," said Correa.
Authorities said the police officer who shot the suspect is a 15-year veteran on the force assigned to the Pearl City area. KITV was told he has been placed on administrative leave as a standard procedure.
Police said the case is being investigated as a homicide and an attempted murder on a police officer.
The police department's internal affairs division will also be investigating the case along with the prosecutor's office.
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