Kea‘au Middle Placed on Lockdown After Threat Called into School

Kea‘au Middle School was placed on lockdown after a threat was called into the school Friday morning, July 9.

Authorities have initiated a first-degree terroristic threatening case in connection to the incident, according to a press release from Hawai’i Police Department put out this afternoon.

According to the release, a call had been made to the staff at approximately 8:27 a.m., threatening the school. Puna patrol officers responded to the scene and the school was placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of all students in attendance and the staff at the school.

The nature of the threat has not been released at this time.

Upon arrival to the school, police did a systematic search and found no unauthorized person on campus.

“Just prior to the lockdown being lifted, Kea‘au Middle School staff received another call threatening the school, which necessitated that the lockdown remain in place, and another search of the campus was completed,” the release stated.

School was dismissed as normal at 12:10 p.m. and the lockdown was lifted.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call Detective John Balberde at 808-961-2386 or the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.