Felon's New Year's Day Rampage Ends in Fatal Shootout with Honolulu Police

Criticism mounts over police pursuit tactics and system failures as two officers and a civilian remain hospitalized.

Sidney Tafokitau, a felon out on bail, initiated a New Year's Day manhunt in Hawaii after allegedly shooting a woman, carjacking another, and engaging in a shootout with Honolulu police, leaving two officers wounded and himself dead.
Tafokitau had a criminal history including a 20-year prison sentence for robbery and prior gun convictions. He was out on bail for gun-related charges and used an unregistered high-powered rifle in the shootout.
The Honolulu police faced criticism for the pursuit and for not alerting the public as the situation unfolded. The police defended their actions, stating they didn't want the public getting involved in the fluid and rapidly moving chase.
Two officers and a woman shot before the pursuit remained hospitalized, but are expected to recover.
The incident has sparked discussions about the system's failures, including low bail, unregistered firearms, and inadequate public information release.