Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
A terroristic threatening investigation is underway after threats were reported Tuesday at two more schools on Oahu. This comes a day after Kamehameha Schools shut down its Kapalama campus because of the warning of a possible shooting.
HONOLULU (Island News) -- A terroristic threatening investigation is underway after threats were reported Tuesday at two more schools on Oahu. This comes a day after Kamehameha Schools shut down its Kapalama campus because of the warning of a possible shooting.
"They were scared and some were even crying," said Damien Memorial School sixth grader Gian De Leon.
De Leon was in English class when his teacher suddenly told the sixth-graders to turn off their phones. That's when an announcement came over the speakers, alerting them to shelter in place in their locked classrooms.
"It was very unexpected," he said. "I felt scared and a little worried."
In a letter to parents, Damien administrators said a note was found on campus threatening violence. School administrators did not believe the threat was credible, but decided to cancel school and extracurricular activities for the safety and wellbeing of the school community.
Worried parents like De Leon's mother, Maridel De Leon, rushed to campus.
"I'm so nervous. Like, I have to rush and pick him up. I was working and I asked my boss if I can go and pick up my son right away," she said. "Very frightened about it."
And Damien Memorial was not the only one. Maryknoll School closed both its campuses early due to a possible threat.
"I think it's scary that it's becoming more common," said Ikaika Olds, father of two young boys at Maryknoll. "I believe a lot of the younger generation believe it's funny to put in these bomb scares. But unfortunately it's kids like this that are paying the price."
And it's a high price to pay.
"When I see the school shootings, it makes me worried. What if this happens to my school? That's how I feel," Gian said. "I try to look around at school, seeing if it's safe and stuff."
Terroristic threatening is a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
