Call claiming active shooter at Big Island’s Waiākea High School was a hoax

A phone call to law enforcement on Monday morning claiming an active shooter situation at Waiakea High School in Hilo proved to be a hoax, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department.

The caller, who spoke with Central Dispatch at 9:07 a.m., said there was a student on campus with a firearm who had shot multiple students.

As officers responded to the scene, the Waiākea High School administration was contacted. The school reported there was no active shooter that they were aware of, and determined there indeed was no shooter.

Waiākea High School, Waiākea Intermediate and Waiākea Elementary schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution due to the potential seriousness of the call.

Within minutes of Police Dispatch receiving the call, multiple resources responded to the scene, police said. Once a systematic search of the school campus was completed and assurances that there were no threats, all schools and surrounding areas were opened up around 9:45 a.m. 

The incident has been classified as a first-degree terroristic threatening case and is currently being investigated by the Area I Juvenile Aid Section. 

Police ask anyone who may have any information relative to this investigation to contact the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or Det. Gavin Kagimoto at (808) 961-2276.