A man’s arrest in Hawaii has garnered attention after he triggered a lockdown at an Army base due to an unsettling incident. The situation unfolded at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu, leading to a response that initially treated it as an “active shooter situation,” although no shots were ultimately fired.
According to Michael Donnelly, a spokesperson for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, the incident began when the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Paul Smith, allegedly attempted to engage with soldiers on the base. Donnelly commented, “I don’t know if he was bartering or selling stuff, but someone confronted him, and they got into a scuffle. There was a handgun witnessed, visible.”
The repercussions of the incident were not limited to Schofield Barracks, as neighboring Wheeler Army Airfield also went into lockdown. Additionally, two public schools located on the Schofield premises, namely Daniel K. Inouye Elementary and Solomon Elementary, were affected. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m., coinciding with the departure of children for the day. As a result, staff, students, and parents were swiftly secured indoors.
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The suspect’s apprehension occurred on the island of Molokai, where Paul Smith was taken into custody “without incident,” as reported by a spokeswoman for the Maui Police Department. The U.S. Army is actively collaborating with the Honolulu Police Department in their ongoing efforts to locate and manage the suspect.
In an effort to aid the public in identifying the individual, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii provided a detailed description: “Mohawk-type haircut with a button-down collared aloha shirt, light blue jeans, tan Nike foam shoes with a red swoosh, and a multicam cross-body bag.”
The lockdowns at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield were eventually lifted after several hours of uncertainty.
Schofield Barracks, situated approximately 20 miles north of Honolulu, serves as the host for the 25th Infantry Division and the 8th Theater Sustainment Command. Wheeler Army Airfield, its neighboring facility, houses the Hawaii Air National Guard and serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
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Who is Paul Smith?
Paul Smith, the 27-year-old suspect at the center of this incident, has captured public attention due to his involvement in the Schofield Barracks lockdown. As the legal proceedings progress, further details about Smith’s background, motivations, and actions leading up to the incident are expected to emerge, shedding light on the events of that day in Hawaii and the implications of his actions.