Shotgun, Pellet Gun, Among Items Recovered in Police Shooting

One of the firearms recovered from the vehicle involved in a fatal police involved shooting on Tuesday 5/22/12 in Kihei. MPD photo.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police say the two weapons recovered from the car driven by a slain theft suspect included a sawed-off shotgun and an airsoft pellet gun.

The items were recovered following a search warrant executed at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, a day after the fatal shooting in the parking lot of the Mana Kai Resort in Kihei.

The investigation stems from a police-involved shooting in which a 31-year-old Wailuku man was fatally wounded while police responded to a stolen vehicle report.

One of the firearms recovered from the vehicle involved in a fatal police involved shooting on Tuesday 5/22/12 in Kihei. MPD photo.

Family members have publicly disputed the police claims that the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an officer, sparking the deadly gunfire by police.

Police today released photos of the two items saying the airsoft pellet gun replicated a real semi-automatic pistol. Police say the weapon was believed to be a semi-automatic, but discovered it to be an airsoft pellet gun upon investigation.

Police said the stolen rental vehicle used in the case was operated by Marshall Langford, 31, of Wailuku, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second person involved in the incident, identified as Lorden Cooper, 28, of Wailuku, was placed under arrest on Wednesday for unauthorized control of a propelled motor vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports that Cooper was released Thursday morning pending further investigation.

In addition to the firearm recovery, police say they also recovered a clear glass smoking pipe and additional unnamed items from within the stolen vehicle.

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.