Pāhoa Teen Arrested in Connection to Threats Made to Bring Gun to School

A Pāhoa teen was arrested early this morning, Nov. 5, in connection to threatening messages he allegedly posted in an Instagram friendʻs chat group.

According to Hawaiʻi Police, the 13-year-old boy indicated in the group chat that he had a shotgun and expressed bringing it to school to possibly cause harm.

At 12:30 a.m. this morning, Puna patrol officers arrested the suspect at home and released him to his parents at 4:55 a.m. pending further investigation, an HPD press release stated. Because he is a minor, no additional details are available about his identity.

As part of the continuing investigation, police say, officers from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section recovered a broken BB gun that resembled a shotgun.

Authorities say there is no imminent or pending threat to any Hawai’i Island public, private, or charter school.