UPDATE: Suspect Charged in Fatal Stabbing at Kehalani Foodland
UPDATE: A Kahului man in being held on $3,000,000 bail today following the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife within the Kehalani Foodland store in Wailuku. The incident was reported at around 6:13 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the store located on Waiʻale Drive.
Police say the suspect, Stephen B. Schmidt, 45, from Kahului, started an argument with a man who accompanied his estranged wife, 24-year-old Kehau Farias Schmidt of Kahului, within the Foodland store. After a brief struggle with the man, police say Schmidt then used a knife and stabbed his estranged wife as well as two individuals who tried to intervene–an 53-year-old Wailuku man and a 34-year-old Haʻikū man.
Police say the suspect, Stephen Schmidt, fled the store towards Kahului, prior to officer’s arrival. Police pursued Schmidt to a home on Molokaʻi Hema Street. Police say Stephen Schmidt was located and taken into custody. He was then transported to the Wailuku Police Station where he is currently being held.
All three victims were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment. Police say the female victim sustained life threatening injuries and later succumbed to her injuries. The two male victims were last listed in stable condition and are currently being treated for their injuries.
Police have since identified the deceased as Kehau Farias Schmidt. The cause of death has not been determined pending autopsy results.
Stephen Schmidt and the female victim were in a relationship, but, separated at the time of this incident, according to police.
Stephen B. Schmidt was charged for the following:
- Murder I 1 Count
- Attempted Murder I 2 Counts
Bails has been set at $3,000,000.
UPDATE: The Kehalani Foodland store will remain closed today and will reopen tomorrow, April 21, following last night’s stabbing incident (details below). Store representatives released the following statement:
“All of us at Foodland are shocked and saddened by the tragic incident that took place at Foodland Kehalani yesterday. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families and friends. We don’t yet know all the details of what occurred, but are cooperating fully with Maui police and investigators. We are also providing support to our employees who were at the store at the time of the incident. Our store will remain closed today, and will reopen tomorrow after a meeting and blessing with our employees. We wish to thank our store management team and employees for their courage and assistance in handling the situation, as well as Maui police and emergency responders for their guidance, help, and support.”
Maui police are investigating a stabbing reported within the Kehalani Foodland store in Wailuku at around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Witnesses tell us the incident started with a verbal altercation within the store. According to one witness account, the altercation briefly moved outside before the suspect returned to the store and the stabbing occurred within. Witnesses tell us three individuals were injured in the incident including a man and a woman who were stabbed. Hawaii News Now reports that the 24-year-old woman later died at the hospital and a 53-year-old man was transported in serious condition. The witness report has not been confirmed by police.
Shoppers say they were barricaded within the store as part of the police response.
Reports indicate an individual was detained on Moloka’i Hema Street in Kahului following a police pursuit.
As of 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, police still had no official report on the incident.
Please check back as more details are released.
Stephen Schmidt (pictured in foreground). Background image of investigation on 4.19.16. Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo credit: Kelly Chong Kee
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo credit: Elicia Stratton
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo credit: Tua-Nei N Bryson Kaawa
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Nicole Schenfeld.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Nicole Schenfeld.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui police are investigating a stabbing incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku. (4.19.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.
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