Hawaiian authorities launched an intensive manhunt Thursday for a 36-year-old suspect they consider “armed and extremely dangerous” in connection with three fatal attacks that occurred within a 48-hour period earlier this week.
According to Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna, law enforcement is using “significant resources and personnel” in their efforts to locate Jacob Baker, a Pahoa, Hawaii resident.
The victims — three elderly men aged 69, 69, and 79 — were discovered dead on Monday and Tuesday in the Puna district of Hawaii’s Big Island.
“These are a tragic series of events and our thoughts are with those who are grieving at this time,” Mahuna stated during a Wednesday press conference. “The Hawaii Police Department understands the fear and concerns incidents like this bring to our community.”
While Mahuna refused to share specifics about the ongoing search operation, he emphasized that apprehending Baker represents his department’s “No. 1 priority.”
Law enforcement officials indicated they have not determined a motive but expressed confidence that Baker participated in all three fatal attacks. Mahuna withheld details about how investigators identified Baker as their suspect or what evidence links him to the deaths.
The police chief confirmed that Baker has previous contact with law enforcement but provided no additional details.
The first victim, a 69-year-old man, was discovered around 8 p.m. Monday at a home, found partially submerged in a concrete pond, according to Mahuna. Initially uncertain whether criminal activity was involved, police later determined it was a homicide based on preliminary autopsy findings.
On Tuesday, investigators found a 79-year-old victim with apparent blunt force trauma shortly after 12:30 p.m., Mahuna reported. This attack occurred approximately 400 to 500 feet from the initial homicide location.
The third victim, another 69-year-old man, was found dead with injuries around 10 p.m. Tuesday when officers responded to a welfare check at a property roughly 19 miles from the first two crime scenes, Mahuna said.
Police are requesting public assistance in locating Baker and reporting any suspicious activity in the areas where the homicides occurred, while strongly advising residents not to approach the suspect.
