South African Rugby Player Living In Honolulu Enters A Stranger's House, Takes Off Shoes, Acts Weird, Cops Come, He Tries To Run Them Over, Gets Shot Dead

Efforts to repatriate the body of Lindani Myeni who was shot and killed by officers from the Honolulu police department in Hawaii, US, on Wednesday night are underway.

Myeni, 29, a mechanical engineer and former professional rugby player who had a green card interview scheduled for next week, was living on the island with his American wife Lindsay and their two young children.

On the night of his death, his wife said he had left their home and gone for a drive to clear his head. About 20 minutes later she contacted him and he told her he was on his way home.

Police, however, allege that Myeni entered a home in the Nuuanu area, exhibiting strange behavior. He allegedly sat down, took off his shoes, and struck up a conversation with the homeowners who were, in turn, upset and asked him to leave. Myeni then went to sit in his vehicle, the police claimed.

During a press conference on Thursday, Susan Ballard, police chief of the Honolulu police department, told the media that three officers were dispatched to a robbery in progress and when they arrived at the residence, the homeowner pointed out Myeni as the suspect.

When police arrived, Myeni allegedly got out of his vehicle and charged at police officers.

“Officer one ordered the suspect to get on the ground. The suspect turned and charged toward the officer, punching him several times. Officer two tried to get the suspect off of officer one and when officer three arrived on the scene and pulled out his taser, it was ineffective.

“The suspect then charged at officer three and punched him before running and charging at officer one again. Officer one then fired a single round but the suspect continued and tackled the officer, strangling him and began punching him again. Officer two then fired three rounds at the suspect who fell to the ground,” Ballard said.

She said the officers administered first aid before Myeni was transported to the hospital in a critical condition and that all three officers were also treated for multiple injuries, with one being admitted to the hospital.

Yesterday, police released a video of the incident from a body worn camera of one of the officers. A woman in tears is seen pointing out Myeni to officers while he sits in his car before he exits and walks toward officers. A scuffle ensues and the first shot is fired followed by screaming, then three more shots.

Prior to leaving the country, Myeni played for the Durban Jaguars, a rugby club that he joined after high school where he played as a flank or lock for the team.