8-29-22 Update in Hilo Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation: Suspect Charged

Hawai‘i Island Police detectives have charged 41-year-old Jordan Gino Cacatian in connection with the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred in downtown Hilo on Tuesday afternoon, August 23, 2022.

On Sunday evening, August 28, 2022, after being released from the Hilo Medical Center, Cacatian was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, attempted assault against a law enforcement officer, and attempted second-degree assault. His bail was set at $30,000.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, August 23, when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a male party on Keawe Street who was cutting himself with a knife. Responding officers observed the male suspect with a knife, and gave loud verbal commands for him to put the knife down. The suspect immediately began rapidly approaching an officer. The officer drew his weapon and continued giving clear commands to the suspect. The suspect ignored the officer’s lawful commands, and the officer subsequently discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect in the lower extremities.

It was previously reported that first responders performed CPR on the victim; however, that is incorrect, as Cacatian was still conscious and alert following this incident. His injuries were immediately addressed by medics and Cacatian was transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room, where he was treated for his self-inflicted injuries, as well as the injuries he received during this incident.

There were no reported injuries to bystanders or the responding officers.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to assist in this investigation.

The Office of Professional Standards has initiated a standard internal administrative investigation. The involved officer is a 14-year veteran of the department, and has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective John Balberde of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or John.Balberde@hawaiicounty.gov.