Hawai‘i Island police have charged a 17-year-old student after threatening Kea’au High School students and personnel yesterday morning.  As a precaution, four area schools were placed on lockdown.

Officers responded to Kea‘au High School after receiving a report of a threat involving a student that was believed to be armed. The initial verbal threat was made in-person, and later followed up with a general threat the suspect allegedly posted online.

It was reported that the juvenile was returning to the school.  When officers arrived, he was observed within a vehicle on campus.  As officers attempted to identify him,  he fled on foot into a nearby forested area.  Police then set up a perimeter encompassing two area schools and the adjoining area.

The juvenile was found unarmed and arrested without incident.  He was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening and transferred to the custody of the State of Hawai’i Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division and is awaiting transport to the Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility on O‘ahu.

The Area I Juvenile Aid Section is continuing this investigation. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Jenny Lee at (808) 961-2279 or Jenny.Lee@hawaiicounty.gov.