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One Honolulu police officer charged with murder and two police officers charged with attempted murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy on Jan.
Police officer Geoffrey HL Thom, 42, was charged with second degree murder in the death of Iremamber Sykap, and officers Zachary K. Ah Nee, 26, and Christopher J. Fredeluces, 40, were each charged with second degree murder. Degree of attempted murder from lawsuits filed in court on June 15 by the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office.
The officers in aloha shirts stood next to their lawyers in front of Judge Clarence Pacarro during the roughly three-minute hearing. Attorney Richard Sing represents Thom, Attorney Thomas Otake represents Ah Nee and Attorney Crystal Glendon represents Fredeluces.
Three Honolulu police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy on Jan. @Star Advertiser
– Rosemarie Bernardo (@RoseBernardo) June 25, 2021
Pacarro has scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 20th.
Attorneys for the officers issued a joint statement after the performance: “Geoffrey, Zack and Chris would like to thank the community for the overwhelming support. It is clear that most in our community believe the filing of these charges, after an independent grand jury dismissed them, is worrying to say the least. While we recognize the tragedy of this situation, we, as their lawyers, will do everything in our power to prevent unlawful convictions in this case. “
A rally began prior to the hearing with members of the Hawaii State Police Officer Organization (SHOPO), ILWU, Back Da Blue, and Stolen Stuff Hawaii showing up to assist the officers. More than 200 people lined the front of the courthouse from Richards Street to Alakea.
The three @honolulupolice Officials charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap arrive in court this morning. @Star Advertiser pic.twitter.com/xMfRww9Jba
– Peter Boylan (@PeterBBoylan) June 25, 2021
“These people serve us every day in our churches and they go out knowing that they may not come back and their families have to deal with it every day, and so we have to be there and whatever the result, we pray. “and to support each and every one of the officers and all of their families as we have to show ourselves,” said Cheryl Miram, who was at the rally. “We have to be there.”
The charges brought against the officers by Honolulu Attorney Steve Alm came six days after a grand jury refused to bring charges against them.
The lawsuit alleges that Thom, Ah Nee and Fredeluces’ use of lethal force was “unnecessary, unreasonable and unjustified by the law”.
“This is not the mainland,” Senator Kurt Fevella said through a megaphone, looking at the crowd with his back to the courthouse. “You are doing your job and you are being prosecuted for doing your job … this is wrong on every level. “
Councilor Heidi Tsuneyoshi, chairwoman of the Council’s Public Security Committee, also addressed the crowd that had gathered in front of the courthouse. She said prosecutor Steven S. Alm’s decision to indict the officers was on the grounds that a large jury of citizens had declined to indict the officers. “This is a very unusual circumstance for officers on duty. I ask prosecutor Alm to think about what he’s doing here. Think about what you are doing. Let’s hope the right thing happens for the officers. We must come together to support our officials and our community and to overcome this. “
Sykap was the alleged driver of a stolen Honda Civic who led the police in a high-speed car chase that began in East Honolulu and ended when officers opened fire on Kalakaua Avenue near Philip Street. The vehicle was reportedly linked to an alleged armed robbery, pickpocketing and theft.
Thom, Ah Nee and Fredeluces are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
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