Konawaena High School placed on brief lockdown Friday

Konawaena High School was placed on lockdown Friday afternoon after receiving reports of an individual in a vehicle waving what appeared to be a weapon while driving along Konawaena School Road through campus.

According to Hawai‘i Island police, officers responded to the school at 12:44 p.m. after a custodian reported seeing a firearm inside a passing silver-colored SUV, which was occupied by four males.

Officers located the vehicle at a nearby residence and arrested three 18-year-old males and one juvenile for first-degree terroristic threatening. Konawaena High School was placed on lockdown for 45 minutes as a safety precaution.

Through the course of their investigation, police believe the item, which was not pointed at anyone in particular, to be a construction tool. At this time, police say is not believed to have been used maliciously.

The four males were released from police custody pending investigation.

The incident is an ongoing investigation and the case is being investigated by detectives with the Area II Juvenile Aid Section.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call Officer Christopher Ross at 808-326-4646, ext. 302, or the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe.

Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.