Felon used unregistered rifle in New Year’s chase, shootout with Honolulu police, records show

The Associated Press

HONOLULU -- The subject of an islandwide manhunt New Year's Day on Oahu was a felon barred from owning the high-powered rifle he used to open fire on Honolulu police in a shootout that left two officers wounded and the suspect dead, court records show.

Sidney Tafokitau was accused of shooting a woman and carjacking another woman at gunpoint before leading officers on a chase around Oahu. He also had posted bail just two weeks prior on gun-related charges.

The fallout from the dramatic pursuit continued days later, as police faced criticism for the pursuit and for not alerting the public as the situation unfolded.

"I think in the past 48 hours there's been a lot of talk about how the system failed," Doug Chin, chair of the Honolulu Police Commission and Hawaii's former attorney general, told The Associated Press Wednesday. "I hear reports that, you know, his bail was too low, he had an unregistered firearm, the public release of information was inadequate or even that he should not have been chased at all."

But it's too soon to point to anything until there's more information, he said, noting that it will likely be discussed at this month's commission meeting. "I think the entire system is tested when you have a very, very serious situation like this," he said.

Court records show a long criminal history for Tafokitau, including a 20-year prison sentence for robbery and convictions for gun crimes. In November, he pleaded not guilty to a slew of firearms charges, including possessing a firearm as a felon. He was out on $75,000 bail, which had been reduced from $150,000. State Public Defender Jon Ikegana, whose office represented him, declined to comment Wednesday.

In mid-December, Honolulu police asked for the public's help in locating Tafokitau, called him armed and dangerous, and said he committed a shooting and stabbing.

After Monday's shootout culminated near the University of Hawaii's main campus, Honolulu Police Chief Arthur "Joe" Logan defended not issuing alerts. He said police didn't want the public getting involved in the chase he described as "fluid" and which moved rapidly across the island.

Tafokitau was using an unregistered AR-15 type rifle, police said in a statement. A spokesperson with the Honolulu Police Department didn't address an inquiry from the AP asking for a response to criticism about the chase that has been described as taking place at high speeds at times.