Two police officers were shot and killed by a suspect when they responded to a call for a woman who needed help at a home in Waikiki Sunday, according to Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard.

Ballard announced during a press conference Sunday night that the two officers, Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama, were shot and killed by suspect Jerry Hanel when they responded to a woman who had been stabbed at a residence around 9 a.m. local time.

The officer to arrive found the victim and, shortly after, two other officers came upon the scene.

When all three were walking down the driveway of the home, Hanel allegedly shot at them, Ballard said.

(Police Chief Susan Ballard confirmed Jerry Hanel to be the suspect in the shooting that killed two officers on Sunday, Jan. 19. Officer Tiffany Victoria Bilon Enriquez (married and the young mother of three daughters), was a seven-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department. And Officer Kaulike Kalama (a husband and father), was a nine year veteran on the force. Courtesy of KHON2 News and YouTube. Posted on Jan 20, 2020.)

Enriquez, a 7-year veteran with the (Honolulu Police) department, was wounded by the initial gunfire, Ballard said.

Additional officers arrived on scene and Hanel allegedly shot at that group, striking Kalama, a 9-year veteran on the force, according to Ballard.

As more officers were called in, “thick black smoke” began to pour out of the home, Ballard explained.

The fire engulfed several homes, “totally destroying” at least seven houses and causing damage to many others, Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves said at the press conference.

Although the fire has been completely extinguished, it will take several days to process the scene, which includes removing the remains of three people who are unaccounted for should their bodies be found, Ballard said.

The three people unaccounted for are the suspect and two adult females, according to Ballard.

Police are still looking for the suspect

Police are still searching for Hanel and will not stop until they find him, although that may be when a body recovered from the fire scene is confirmed to be his, Ballard explained.

Honolulu Police have opened an investigation into two counts of first degree murder, one count of second degree assault and multiple accounts of first degree attempted murder against Hanel, Ballard said.

Hanel is believed to be in his 60’s, according to Ballard.

(The suspect in Sunday’s officer killing and massive Diamond Head fire had mental health issues as well as prior encounters with officer Tiffany Enriquez, who was killed in the shooting. Courtesy of KHON2 News and YouTube. Posted on Jan 20, 2020.)