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 indicated that he had a shotgun and expressed bringing it to school to possibly cause harm.

This morning, Puna patrol officers arrested the suspect at home and released him to his parents  pending further investigation. Because he is a minor, no additional details regarding his identity are available.

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.