Hawai‘i Island police charged the 15-year-old Hilo student arrested in connection with online threats made towards Hilo and Puna area schools.

Upon conferral with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutors Office and Juvenile Probation, the student was charged with disorderly conduct. He was then released to the custody of Juvenile Probation and is scheduled to appear in Hilo Family Court today.

The charge stems from information received on Wednesday evening when police were alerted to various posts on social media relating to members of a notorious gang being on the island, that were planning to go to a school in Hilo. There were no direct threats reported; however, the posts prompted parents to contact police fearing for the safety of their children.

Yesterday morning, additional schools in Hilo and Puna contacted police after learning of the posts.

Patrol officers in Hilo and Puna, as well as Community Policing Officers and members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division met with school administrators and stood by during school drop off yesterday.

During the course of investigation, police identified the 15-year-old male high school student as being responsible for the online posts. He was subsequently arrested at upon arriving at school.

The Area I Juvenile Aid Section is continuing the investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about these incidents to call Detective Corina McLellan of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2276 or via email at Corina.Mclellan@hawaiicounty.gov.