Charging decision expected soon in gull-killing case

Published 11:11 am Monday, August 12, 2024

SOUTH BEND — A charging decision is expected soon in the case of a Hawaii resident accused of deliberately running down and killing 25 gulls July 27 in a rented Jeep Cherokee.

According to Capt. Dan Chadwick of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement division, the identified suspect was contacted via his wife on the island of Oahu. She said she conveyed a message to him that he should contact WDFW police, but he had not done so as of the morning of Aug. 12.

The case has been referred to the Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office, Chadwick said. In 2009, similar offenses were charged as a Class C felony of cruelty to animals, as well as killing wildlife protected under state and federal laws. Prosecutor Michael Rothman was a Pacific County staff attorney at the time of those cases and can use them as a model in this instance, Chadwick said.

Waialae Iki community members said the man in the photo released by authorities lives in their area, according to reporting by Hawaii News Now.

The news is prompting a strong response from Hawaii wildlife and nature advocates, HNN reported.

“As an Indigenous person of Hawaii, I know for a fact his actions do not reflect our values,” said Native Hawaiian activist Healani Sonoda-Pale.

There is an ongoing reaction on social media on the Long Beach Peninsula and in Hawaii to the reported crime, which also allegedly involved nearly striking two people walking their dogs on the beach. Multiple witnesses came forward including three who stopped the vehicle, photographing it and the driver. Efforts to save the few birds remaining alive failed.

“I’m glad that he’s not getting away with it,” a Washington commenter said Aug. 11. “Clearly something wrong with a person to enjoy doing something like this. It’s just not normal and likely is not the end of the behavior.”

It is possible the man could be charged with federal wildlife violations if he does not respond to Washington authorities, Chadwick said.