Sept. 18, UPDATE: Wanted murder suspect Chris Santos in custody

Published on September 18, 2023

KEKAHA – Wanted homicide suspect Chris Santos of Kauaʻi, sustained injuries following an officer involved shooting with federal law enforcement Sunday night. Santos has been wanted by police since Sept. 8, for the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Kith Silva-Lacro of Kalāheo that occurred on Thursday, Sept. 7, on Kahili Mountain Road.  

The Kauaʻi Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been engaged in an on-going collaborative operation to locate and safely apprehend Santos.

On Sept. 17, at approximately 10:20 p.m., officers located Santos operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of the Kekaha Beach Park approximately one-quarter mile west of the Akialoa Road and Kaumuali‘i Highway Junction.

“Unfortunately, despite several efforts to encourage Mr. Santos to peacefully surrender to police, his actions during contact with law enforcement officers resulted in an officer involved shooting,” said KPD Chief of Police Todd Raybuck. No officers were injured during the encounter.

Santos was transported to Wilcox Hospital for treatment, where he currently remains.

Kaumuali‘i Highway at mile marker 27 is closed for travel in both directions until further notice due to the on-going investigation. PMRF employees with proper identification are being allowed through via a detour, all others are encouraged to avoid the area.

This event remains under active investigation by the Kauaʻi Police Department. No further information will be provided at this time.

The participating agencies involved in this investigation will provide more details during a joint press conference at the Kauaʻi Police Department on Tuesday, Sept. 19. More details related to the press conference will be released to members of the media in a subsequent release.

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