Pubdate: Sat, 12 Apr 2008
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2008 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Authors: Gary T. Kubota, and Robert Shikina
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MAUI POLICE KILL SUSPECT

The Man Hits Three Officers With His Car As He Flees During A Drug Search

MAKAWAO, Maui) A 38-year-old Maui man died from gunshot wounds 
yesterday after his fleeing car struck three police officers who 
fired at him. The gunfire rocked this tiny Upcountry community.

The police officers were executing a narcotics search warrant at a 
residence at 241 Hoomaha Road at 6 a.m., when a suspect driving a car 
hit the three officers, said Lt. Wallace Tom. The officers drew their 
weapons and fired, he said.

Police later found the car and the suspect in a residential area on 
Hoopono Place, about two miles mauka of Hoomaha Road, Tom said.

An autopsy revealed that the man died from internal bleeding caused 
by a gunshot wound.

Several friends and relatives identified the dead man as George 
Brittain. They said he wasn't the type who harmed people but they 
acknowledged he had been struggling with an addiction to crystal 
methamphetamine.

They laid flowers and lit a candle at the entrance of Hoopono Place, 
where his body and the vehicle were found yesterday morning.

"This is an unfortunate incident," said a friend, who declined to be 
identified. "I feel sad for the police too."

Neighbors expressed surprise at the shooting in the quiet, rural 
neighborhood lined with two-acre lots.

Kimiko Takamiya, a Hoomaha Road resident, said she first noticed 
something was happening when she saw an area taped off as she left 
for work about 8:30 a.m. She said the house was a rental and she 
didn't know the current renters.

"Every time I pass the place, I see young people and older trucks," 
she said. "People come and go around there."

Hoomanu Road resident Harry Cambra said, "I was pretty shocked."

Some of Brittain's family acknowledged his drug problem, but said 
police went too far.

Harold Brittain said his nephew fell into drugs in the past and had 
been involved in a prior police chase. "But I don't know why they had 
to shoot him," he said.

Another relative of Brittain's, who asked not to identified, said he 
cared for his friends and characterized him as generous. "I can't 
imagine being without him," she said. "He made some bad decisions. We all do."

Tom said a juvenile girl who was in the vehicle was questioned by 
police and was being sent to a detention facility for youths on Oahu.

He said the three officers were treated at and released from Maui 
Memorial Medical Center.

Tom said an investigation was continuing into whether police found 
any drugs at the Hoomaha Road residence.

As part of standard procedures whenever police fire their weapons and 
a death occurs, an internal investigation is conducted, he said.

One of Brittain's friends said he was driving in the direction of his 
parents' home.

The roads leading to Hoomaha Road and Hoopono Place were blocked by 
Maui police for most of yesterday.

Brittain had 10 convictions dating to 1997. He had convictions for 
weapons charges, driving a stolen vehicle, theft and several warrants.

Another friend said Brittain had worked as a security guard, but she 
did not know whether he had still been working.

She said she thought Brittain had been getting better, but that he 
had been associating with the wrong people and was at the wrong place 
at the wrong time.

"When they're doing ice (crystal meth), that's not them, that's not 
what they're about. That's what they're doing," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom