Three Alleged Accomplices Charged in Officer Involved Shooting

The three individuals initially arrested for Hindering Prosecution on Friday, July 20, have since been charged.

Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued to investigate the incident reported on Friday afternoon on South Point Road in Ka’ū during which wanted fugitive Justin Waiki allegedly shot and injured a Hawaiʻi Police Department Special Response Team Sergeant. Police say officers present returned fire resulting in the death of Waiki.  Two days earlier, Waiki was accused of killing Big Island police officer, Bronson Kaliloa during a traffic stop.

Jorge Pagan-Torres,35, and Malia Lajala, 30, both of Hilo, and Krystle Ferreira, 29 of Kamuela, were arrested at the scene on Friday for Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree. They were transported to and held at, the Kealakehe Police Station pending continuing investigation.

Police say detectives recovered the vehicle used in the incident, and upon search warrant execution recovered several items that included numerous rounds of unspent ammunition, 0.9 grams of a black tar-like substance suspected to be heroin, 0.1 grams of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine and approximately $620 in cash.

At the scene, detectives also recovered a .38 caliber revolver that had previously been reported stolen in March.

At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 22), detectives charged Pagan-Torres, Lajala, and Ferreira with one count each of being an accomplice to first degree attempted murder, accomplice to place to keep a revolver, first degree hindering prosecution, and criminal conspiracy.  Also, Pagan-Torres was charged with two counts of probation violation, and Lajala was charged with two counts of third degree promotion of a dangerous drug.

There is no bail set, and all three individuals remain in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station pending their initial court appearance this morning, July 23, at the Kona District Court.

Anyone with information relative to this case is asked to contact Detective Jerome Manuel of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section, via email at Jerome.manuel@hawaiicounty.gov, or at (808) 326-4646 ext. 262.

Jorge Pagan-Torres

Malia Lajala

Krystle Ferreira