KAUA’I, Hawaii — A 51-year-old California convicted felon wanted in connection with a homicide on Kaua’i was taken into custody Monday morning following a nearly 50-hour manhunt that stretched across the island’s North Shore and left a community on edge.
William “Billy” Sinclair was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Monday near the Kapaʻa Public Library after a foot pursuit ended with Sinclair entering the ocean behind the building. He faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder.
How the Manhunt Unfolded
The sequence of events began in the early hours of Saturday when Kaua’i Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire around 4:45 a.m. A Kīlauea resident had been grazed by a bullet. That incident came just hours after a homicide had taken place in Hanalei, setting off what would become a multi-day investigation and pursuit.
Officers moved to Sinclair’s residence at 4360 Kīlauea Road on Saturday morning, prompting authorities to close Kīlauea Road between Kolo Road and Kaikala Street beginning around 8:30 a.m. Nearby residents were evacuated as officers searched the property.
Weapons and ammunition were found at the residence. The search lasted more than 12 hours before police announced the road had reopened at 6:15 p.m. Saturday — but Sinclair had not been located. A press release late Saturday evening confirmed he remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous.
On Sunday afternoon, police issued another public announcement describing Sinclair’s appearance. He remained free through the afternoon. By Monday morning, officers had located and apprehended him near the Kapaʻa library after a brief chase on foot that ended in the water.
Background on Suspect
Sinclair had no prior criminal record in Hawaii, but authorities confirmed he had a felony conviction in California. The discovery of weapons and ammunition at his Kīlauea residence added urgency to the search while he remained at large.
KPD spokesperson Tiana Victorino said authorities would not be releasing additional details about the case at this time, citing the need to protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation.
Community Impact
The extended manhunt rattled the Kīlauea area, where residents were displaced from their homes during Saturday’s lengthy search. One evacuated resident described the mood in the neighborhood as fearful during the ordeal.
The total duration from the initial homicide response to Sinclair’s arrest spanned approximately 50 hours — a period that included the residential search, the all-day road closure, and multiple public alerts issued by Kauaʻi police as the suspect remained free across two nights.
KPD Chief Rudy Tai, who took command of the department in March, oversaw the response to what became one of the more high-profile law enforcement operations on the island in recent memory.
Investigation Continues
Sinclair’s arrest does not close the case. Authorities have indicated the investigation remains active, and the details connecting the Hanalei homicide, the early Saturday shooting in Kīlauea, and Sinclair’s movements during the intervening hours have not been publicly disclosed.
Both charges — second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder — carry significant penalties under Hawaii law. Further court proceedings are expected as the case advances.
The case comes amid ongoing discussions about law enforcement structure and accountability across the Hawaiian islands. A Honolulu panel recently delayed a vote on giving the city’s mayor authority to select the police chief, a move that has drawn attention to how island communities govern their police departments.
KPD has not announced whether additional suspects or persons of interest are being sought in connection with either the homicide or the shooting. Victorino confirmed that further details would be released as the investigation permits.