Hawai‘i Island police have charged the 17-year-old student accused of threatening students and school personnel Tuesday morning, August 9, 2022, at Kea’au High School. (The male student was previously reported to be age 16.)

On Tuesday afternoon, shortly before 2:30 p.m., the juvenile suspect was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening. He was then 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.

Police would again like to thank the community for their patience as this case was investigated. Police take threats of violence extremely seriously, especially those involving the use or threatened use of a firearm or other weapon. The protection of life is paramount.          

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.