Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested a 13-year-old boy from Pahoa in connection with threatening messages he made in an Instagram friends chat group.

The messages from the 13-year old boy to the group indicated that he had a shotgun and expressed bringing it to school to possibly cause harm.

At 12:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, Puna patrol officers arrested the suspect at home and released him to his parents at 4:55 a.m. pending further investigation. Because he is a minor, no additional details are available about his identity.

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

Hawai’i Island police wish to inform the public that there is no imminent or pending threat to any Hawai’i Island public, private, or charter school.