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Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Police officers line Kilauea Avenue near the location of the old Green Onion cocktail lounge between Aupuni Street and Mohouli Street at the site of a shooting of two officers. (Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7)

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Authorities have closed several roads in Hilo as they investigate a shooting incident that injured two police officers.

Witnesses reported as many as nine or 10 gun shots Wednesday evening around Kilauea Avenue and Aupuni Street, near the former Green Onion eatery.

Hawaii 24/7 has information from the scene that two officers were hit by the gunfire and transported to Hilo Medical Center.

One officer reportedly was hit three times in the leg and another once in the hip. Unconfirmed reports that neither officer suffered life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses indicated the suspect may have fled in the direction of Puna, although police have not issued a formal statement.

Suspect has been described as a local male between 30-40 years old and approximately 5’6″ and 5’8″. Tattoos on both arms, wearing shorts and no shirt or shoes.

A heavy police presence remained at the scene past 1 a.m., as officers conducted a thorough search of the area. The search area included Hilo Lagoon Center, which was under a lockdown order.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, road closures include: Kilauea Avenue from Aupuni Street to Mohouli Street and Aupuni Street from Pauahi Street to Kilauea Avenue.

As of 1 a.m. Thursday, Aupuni Street was closed at the Pauahi Street intersection. Also, Kilauea Avenue was closed between Mohouli and Aupuni streets.

UPDATED: POLICE MEDIA RELEASE (1/3/2013 at 9:19 AM)

On Wednesday evening (January 2) at 7:44 p.m., police responded to a report of several gunshots heard in the area of Kilauea Avenue near the Wailoa River in Hilo.

At approximately 8:52 p.m., while checking parked vehicles in the area of the 1200 block of Kilauea Avenue, officers observed a man hiding under a parked vehicle. Upon approaching him, both officers were fired upon and sustained gunshot injuries. One of the officers was able to return fire. The suspect was able to flee the area on foot and it is unknown at this time whether he sustained any injury as a result of the shooting.

An extensive manhunt is underway for the suspect, described as a local male approximately 30-40 years old, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, 160 pounds with short dark hair, a light beard and numerous tattoos. The suspect was last seen wearing dark pants, dark shoes and no shirt.

The officers are identified as a 40-year old 14-year veteran and a 31-year-old four-year veteran of the Hawaiʻi Police Department. Both officers were shot in their lower extremities. They were transported to the Hilo Medical Center and underwent surgery. Both officers are currently listed in stable condition.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation. Due to the investigation, the makai side lane of Kilauea Avenue south of Aupuni Street will be temporarily closed to traffic.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have information on the identity of the suspect call Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or email him at gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Kilauea Avenue is roadblocked between Mohouli Street and Aupuni Street due to a shooting of two police officers near the old Green Onion cocktail lounge. (Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7)