Report No. 20-078688

Hawaiʻi Police responded to Keaʻau Elementary School this morning (October 14) after a threat lead to the school being locked down for over an hour.

Police responding to the 9:00 a.m. call learned that an upset employee, after going through a meeting with the school administrative staff, made a remark threatening the school. The remark was heard by another school employee who reported it to the school’s principal.

Immediately after receiving this information the school went on lock-down measures to ensure the safety of all the students in attendance and the staff at the school. Due to the pandemic, the elementary school has about fifteen students and sixty staff members on the adjusted school schedule.

Police quickly responded to the incident ensuring the safety of the school students and the faculty.

The suspect, a 36-year old female from Keaʻau, was located at her residence where she was arrested by police.

“We want to reassure the parents whose children attend the Keaʻau Elementary School that at no time were their children in jeopardy” said Sergeant Ryan Pagan, of the Puna District, “working cooperatively with the school, Department of Education, and having procedures and protocols in place to address these types of situations protects our “keiki” and provides public safety”.

Police are continuing their investigation which is classified as a terroristic threatening.