Islandwide search for wanted murder suspect on Kaua‘i ends after he was shot by police Sunday

A murder suspect on the lam for several days on Kaua‘i was shot Sunday night by police.

Kaua‘i police have been searching for Chris Santos since Sept. 8 after investigators connected him to the fatal shooting of Kith Silva-Lacro, 28, of Kalāheo, on Sept. 7, on Kahili Mountain Road. Kaua‘i police, United States Marshals Service and the FBI joined forces as they searched for Santos over the past several days.

Santos was eventually located on Sunday at approximately 10:20 p.m., driving a vehicle in the vicinity of the Kekaha Beach Park approximately one-quarter mile west of the Akialoa Road and Kaumuali‘i Highway Junction.

Despite efforts encouraging Santos to surrender peacefully, Kaua‘i Police Chief of Police Todd Raybuck, said Santos was ultimately shot during the encounter with law enforcement. Santos was transported to Wilcox Hospital for treatment, where he currently remains.

No officers were injured during the encounter.

Kaumuali‘i Highway at mile marker 27 is closed in both directions until further notice due to the ongoing investigation. Employees at Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands are being allowed through via detour with proper identification. All others are encouraged to avoid the area.

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. More details related to the press conference will be released to members of the media in a subsequent release.