BREAKING: Police Shooting Update – Firearms Recovered

Maui police investigate a fatal shooting at the parking lot Mana Kai Maui Resort in South Maui 5/22/12. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

*** An update is now posted at the following direct LINK.

(Posted: 2:03 p.m. 5/24/12; Update 2:50 p.m. 5/24/12)

Maui Police issued an update this afternoon saying they recovered firearms, as well as other items from a vehicle involved in Tuesday’s fatal shooting incident at the parking lot of the Mana Kai Resort.

A search warrant of the stolen rental vehicle was executed by Maui Police at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.  The vehicle was operated by Marshall Langford, 31, of Wailuku. Langford suffered fatal injuries in the incident and died at the scene.

Police say that in addition to firearms, they also recovered a clear glass smoking pipe and other additional items from within the vehicle.

Lorden K. Cooper

A second person involved in the incident, identified as Lorden K. Cooper, 28, of Wailuku, was placed under arrest at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Police say Cooper was arrested as a result of the investigation and the search conducted.  He was arrested for the following: felon in possession of a firearm, place to keep a firearm, registration mandatory, permit to acquire, and unauthorized control of a propelled motor vehicle.

According to Hawai’i criminal justice records, Cooper has a total of 15 charges on record including two separate felony counts for the unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Certified records show that Cooper is also known in the data system as Keanu Ah Sau.

Other convictions on record against Cooper include fourth degree theft, resisting orders to stop, as well as various driving misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor offenses.

The incident was reported at around 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, when officers had responded to a report of a stolen vehicle parked at the location.

When officers arrived, authorities say they found Langford in the vehicle. Police say the suspect attempted to flee the scene, and while doing so, allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an officer. The officer responded, police say, by firing his weapon.

Family members have defended Langford in media reports.

The investigation is ongoing.  Maui police say more cases involving the stolen rental vehicle, the responsible(s) Langford and Cooper, and other responsible(s) are being investigated.