MEDIA RELEASE

Hawai’i Island police are investigating a non-fatal officer-involved shooting in Puna on Thursday.

At approximately 1:48 p.m. Puna Patrol officers and State of Hawai’i Sheriff’s attempted to serve a bench warrant at a residence on Mauna Lani Tract Road when a vehicle sped towards the officers in a threatening manner. In response, a police officer fired three shots and a deputy sheriff fired two shots towards the vehicle, striking the operator. The vehicle subsequently struck another deputy sheriff before coming to rest after running into bushes on the property.

Jomal Ford, a 37 year old male from Mountain View was arrested at the scene for suspicion of attempted murder and for the warrant of arrest. He was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of an apparent non-life threatening gunshot wound and remains in custody while detectives continue the investigation.

As is standard practice in any police involved shooting, the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigations Section will conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an administrative investigation.