Keaau Middle and Elementary schools went under lockdown Friday after a man brandishing a machete was seen near the middle school campus.
According to a statement from Derek Inoshita, a spokesman for the Hawaii Department of Education, an unknown man with a machete entered Keaau Middle School’s campus, prompting a lockdown from 7:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. Students were moved to secure locations and Hawaii Police arrived to search the area.
Police Lt. Allan Watanabe said students told officers that the man never approached within about 60 feet of students or addressed them in any way.
Instead, the man walked along Keaau-Pahoa Road, striking street signs with an object that was variously described by students as a machete or a length of pipe.
After police arrived on scene, Watanabe said they searched for the man but failed to locate him. However, officers were placed at both Keaau Middle and Elementary schools as a precaution.
Watanabe said the shutdown was self-initiated by the schools.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald
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