The video shows three minutes of the incident up to shots being fired.

The Maui Police Department released body camera footage from one of the police officers who fatally shot 40-year-old Nathaniel Naki on Molokai Sunday.

The officers, whose names were not released, can be heard repeatedly telling Naki to drop the machete he was holding under his armpit and to step back.

“Nathaniel, I don’t want to kill you today,” one of the officers shouted, as Naki appeared to test the distance between himself and the police, both parties repeatedly taking steps forward and back.

“I not swinging,” Naki said at one point.

WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised. This video may cause distress.

On Wednesday, the Maui Police Department released body camera footage leading up to the shooting of Nathaniel Naki on Molokai Sunday. (Maui Police Department)

The video segment released cuts out before both officers fired on Naki.

Police say Naki was administered medical care, but he later died at the hospital.

One officer had additional violence de-escalation training and the other had previously tried to get Naki “critical services on prior occasions,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said at a press conference Wednesday.

Police dispatchers received a call Sunday morning that Naki was “on private property, acting disorderly,” police said at the press conference. Naki was also found to be violating a temporary restraining order that required he not be there.

Naki had left the property and was on Kamehameha V Highway when police arrived.

The investigation is ongoing and the officers remain on administrative leave.

What stories will you help make possible?

Since 2010, Civil Beat’s reporting has painted a more complete picture of Hawaii — stories that you won’t find anywhere else.

Your donation, however big or small, will ensure that Civil Beat has the resources to provide you with thorough, unbiased reporting on the issues that matter most to Hawaii. We can’t do this without you.

 

About the Author