Honolulu Police Investigate Second-Degree Murder After Shooting in Kailua Target Parking Lot Leaves One Person Dead Saturday Night
KAILUA, HI — Honolulu police are investigating a second-degree murder after a shooting in the parking lot of the Target in Kailua left one person dead Saturday night.
First responders were still active at the scene as the case developed, and the public was told to avoid the area. Police said the shooting happened at 345 Hahani St. and that officers were working to sort out what led to the deadly encounter.
The Honolulu Police Department said the incident unfolded on Sept. 26, and investigators had not released additional details about the circumstances.
Police say the call came in around 5 p.m. before the homicide investigation began
According to the Honolulu Police Department, officers received a call about the homicide at about 5 p.m. The department later identified the incident as a second-degree murder investigation tied to the shooting at the Kailua shopping center.
Police said the shooting took place at 8:33 p.m. Saturday at the Target location on Hahani Street. The timing in the police account suggests investigators were working with multiple reports and developing information as the scene was secured.
No information was released about the victim beyond confirmation that one person died. Police did not say what prompted the shooting or whether the victim and shooter knew one another.
Emergency crews joined Honolulu police at the Kailua scene
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and the Honolulu Fire Department were also present at the location along with HPD. Their response underscored the seriousness of the shooting and the need to secure the area while investigators examined the parking lot.
Officials asked the public to stay clear of the area because emergency personnel remained on site. The response affected a busy retail location in Kailua, where shoppers and nearby drivers could have encountered road or parking lot restrictions while the scene was active.
Police have not said whether anyone else was injured in the shooting. They also did not release any description of a possible suspect.
No arrests have been announced and no suspect information was released
As of the latest update, no arrests had been made. Police also said no suspect reports had been issued, indicating detectives had not publicly identified anyone connected to the killing.
That leaves investigators with a homicide scene and few confirmed facts beyond the location, time frame and the number of victims. The department said the investigation was ongoing and that more information would be provided later.
For now, the case remains in the early stages, with police not disclosing whether surveillance video, witness statements or other evidence had been collected. The lack of a public suspect description means officers were still working through the initial investigative steps.
Kailua Target shooting adds to a heavy police presence in a retail area
The shooting happened at a Target store in Kailua, a retail site that would normally draw evening shoppers and employees. A homicide investigation in that setting can quickly disrupt a large surrounding area as detectives, emergency medical crews and firefighters coordinate at the scene.
HPD said the public should avoid the area while first responders were present. That guidance suggests the parking lot and nearby access points may have been difficult to use while investigators documented the scene.
Police did not provide any information about the store’s operations, and it was not clear from officials whether the business itself was directly involved in the incident. The focus remained on the parking lot where the shooting occurred.
What Honolulu police have confirmed so far about the deadly shooting
So far, Honolulu police have confirmed four key facts: the case is being investigated as second-degree murder, the shooting occurred at the Kailua Target on Hahani Street, one person died, and no arrests have been announced.
Investigators also said the public should avoid the area while emergency crews remained on scene. Beyond that, police have not shared a motive, suspect identity, or any details about how the shooting unfolded.
The department said more information would be released as the developing investigation continues. Until then, the case remains an open homicide inquiry centered on a deadly parking lot shooting in Kailua.
