Fake Threats Cause Lockdown on Four Schools, KPD Makes an Arrest

Kaua‘i Police Department has identified persons of interest, and detained one individual who had allegedly made threats to two high schools on the island, causing four schools to go on lockdown today, according to county officials. The nature of the threats hasn’t been released by officials.

The County of Kaua‘i sent a press release today at 11 a.m., stating KPD was currently investigating reports of unconfirmed threats made toward Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i high schools. At that time, county officials said there was no active threat identified.

As a safety precaution, the Hawai‘i Department of Education placed the following schools on lockdown: Kapa‘a High School, Kapa‘a Elementary School and Kaua‘i High School. Officials with St. Catherine School also placed their campus on lockdown as a precaution.

KPD officers were told to remain on all four campuses until the all clear was given, according to county officials. Parents were asked to contact their respective schools regarding student information and pickup. The public was also asked to not call police dispatch or 911 unless there was an emergency.

At 12 p.m., county officials sent a second news release, stating KPD officers had determined the threats made today toward Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i high schools were false and no active threat was identified at any time during the incident.

Persons of interests were identified at Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i high school, and one individual was detained. The release also states that according to school officials, the lockdowns at all four school campuses were then lifted, and parents requesting information regarding the status of schools and students were told to contact school officials directly.

The investigation remains ongoing.