UPDATE: Lockdown at 2 Maui Schools, Firearm Investigation Initiated

MHS lockdown, 3/11/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 3:23 p.m. 3/11/13)

Maui police continued a firearm investigation on Monday, March 11, after an all-clear was issued at two Central Maui schools that were under lock-down for over an hour earlier in the day.

The incident began when Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 10:47 a.m. from an anonymous female, reporting that she observed a 16-year-old male jumping over the fence into the Maui High School Campus with a concealed black handgun under his shirt, police said.

The individual was described by the caller as thin built, about 5’3” tall, with medium length wavy hair, wearing a white shirt and jeans. Police say the caller said the individual made entrance onto the campus near the banana patch area off of Papa Avenue.

No other information was ascertained by the dispatcher, and Central Dispatch was not able to call back to verify the information, said Lt. Wayne Ibarra from the department’s communication division.

MHS lockdown, 3/11/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Maui Police Department’s School Resource Police say the officer assigned to Maui High School, who was on the campus at the time, then relayed the information to the vice principal, who decided to implement a “lock-down” of the campus.

At about 10:51 a.m., Wailuku patrol officers arrived and began making exterior checks of the Maui High School campus starting from the Papa Avenue side of campus. They were joined shortly by members of the Maui Police Department’s Special Response Team, the Crime Reduction Unit, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Division, the Criminal Investigation Division, and the VICE Division.

Maui High School officials then contacted nearby Kahului Elementary School and advised them of the situation. Kahului School officials in turn ordered their campus under lock-down at about 11:14 a.m.

After perimeter checks were completed of the Maui High School Campus, officers then conducted interior building checks, which included classrooms and offices, said Lt. Ibarra. Responding officers then conducted checks of the Kahului School campus.

MHS lockdown, 3/11/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

No person matching the description of the gunman was located and there were no reported injuries, said Lt. Ibarra.

Maui High School was re-opened after the “all clear” was given at 11:58 a.m., and Kahului School was re-opened after the “all clear” was given at 12:30 p.m.

According to Lt. Ibarra, police initiated a “place to keep firearm” investigation.

(Update: 12:56 p.m. 3/11/13; Update: 2:59 p.m. 3/11/13)

A lock-down at two Central Maui schools was lifted shortly after noon today following reports of an unknown individual on campus at Maui High School.

The lock-down at the neighboring Kahului Elementary School was lifted at 12:36 p.m., police said.

Several minutes earlier, police had given the all-clear at Maui High School as well, where the initial response took place.

The police presence stemmed from a report earlier this morning of an individual who had reportedly jumped the fence onto the Maui High School campus. Police were unable to confirm witness reports of a weapon observed.

The investigation is ongoing.

Representative Justin Woodson (Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani) issued the following statement on Monday afternoon, regarding the lock-downs at Maui High School and Kahului Elementary School:

“I am relieved to hear that the events this afternoon were resolved without any incident and harm to those in our community and I would like to commend the quick action of the Maui Police Department and the administrations of Maui High and Kahului Elementary in keeping our children safe from the threats of potential dangers. I will continue to work with school officials on ways to mitigate further incidents of this nature for the health and safety of our students and community.”

***Please check back for additional details, which will be posted when they become available.

(Update: 12:30 p.m. 3/11/13)

A lock-down at Maui High School was lifted before 12:30 p.m.

Maui Police Lt. Wayne Ibarra said police still had the neighboring Kahului Elementary School under lock-down status as of 12:30 p.m.

The police presence stems from a report earlier this morning of an individual who had reportedly jumped the fence onto the Maui High School campus. Police were unable to confirm witness reports of a weapon observed.

The investigation is ongoing.

(Posted: 11:26 a.m. 3/11/13)

Police placed Maui High School on lock-down this morning after reports surfaced of an individual who entered the campus by jumping a fence.

Maui Police Lt. Wayne Ibarra, with the department’s Communications Division said he was unable to confirm witness reports of a weapon on the suspect, but noted that police were on scene, responding to the incident.

According to Lt. Ibarra, the lock-down status at MHS began at 10:53 a.m. At 11:14 a.m., Maui police also locked-down the neighboring Kahului Elementary School.