Man Arrested in Hawaii After Lockdown at Army Base
A man’s antics at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii led to a lockdown, according to officials. The incident, treated as an “active shooter situation,” occurred on a Thursday. Although no shots were fired, it caused quite a stir.
This individual was apparently “trying to allegedly talk with soldiers,” and things took a bizarre turn. It’s not entirely clear if he was trying to barter or sell something, but he got into a scuffle. To make matters more intense, a handgun was visible during the commotion.
The nearby Wheeler Army Airfield and two public schools, Daniel K. Inouye Elementary and Solomon Elementary on Schofield, also went into lockdown. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m., just as students were leaving for the day, and everyone was kept safe indoors.
Suspect in Custody on Molokai Island
The New York Times reported that the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Paul Smith, was taken into custody “without incident” on Molokai Island. The Army is working with the Honolulu Police Department to locate him. Smith’s distinctive appearance included a Mohawk-type haircut, a button-down collared aloha shirt, light blue jeans, tan Nike foam shoes with a red swoosh, and a multicam cross-body bag, as described by the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii on Facebook.
Lockdowns Lifted
Initially, officials were on the hunt for an armed individual on Schofield Barracks. The lockdowns at the bases were lifted after several hours, bringing a sense of relief.
Schofield Barracks, situated approximately 20 miles north of Honolulu, is home to the 25th Infantry Division and the 8th Theater Sustainment Command. Right next door, Wheeler Army Airfield houses the Hawaii Air National Guard and serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
The situation may have caused a bit of chaos, but it ended with the peace and security of everyone involved.