“Police sent both the SWAT team and crisis negotiators to a Keaau residence Thursday afternoon, only to find the body of a dead man who apparently shot himself.

According to a police statement, shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday, the East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant on a residence on the 15-2000 block of 15th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, in connection with an ongoing missing person investigation.”

“Police say arriving officers immediately made numerous announcements identifying themselves and their intention of executing a search warrant. At this time, a loud “pop” resembling a gunshot rang out.

Personnel then set up a secure perimeter and began checking on nearby homes to insure residents’ safety, according to police.

The SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team were activated because there could have been an armed barricaded subject in the home, police said.

Upon later entry into the house, personnel located the body of a man who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A firearm also was recovered, police said.

Upon securing the scene, police continued to investigate.

An autopsy will be performed early next week to determine the exact cause of the man’s death.

Police are withholding the victim’s identity pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information on the incident are asked to call the department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.”