By Daryl Lee, David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar
[Video by Daryl Lee]
HILO, Hawaii: 18 year old Jeremy Costa was in court on Wednesday, facing charges of first-degree terroristic threatening after posting threats towards Kamehameha Schools Keaau campus on his Facebook page.
Costa – who was reportedly expelled from the school prior to the incident – was arrested on Tuesday morning by Hawaii County Police.
In this interview, Captain Randall Medeiros takes us through the timeline of the disconcerting incident, which began on Monday. Medeiros says that former student Costa tried to meet with the school principal, and instead met with the Vice Principal and a school counselor. After a half an hour or so, Costa left “in an apparent emotional state.” Police say Costa returned that day and got into an altercation with campus security. Security called the police, who arrested Costa for criminal trespass. Costa was processed and released at the Puna police station.
On Monday evening, it was learned that Costa had allegedly posted threatening statements to his Facebook page: things like “rent a cops must die” , he could take Virginia Tech to the next level, and etc… according to police.
On Tuesday, officers later found Costa hitchhiking on the way to school, wearing a Kamehameha Schools uniform and carrying books. Medeiros said when officers approached him, he tore off his shirt and challenged them to a fight. He was taken into custody and charged.
During his court appearance, Costa said little, but expressed disdain for the news camera, giving the middle finger to journalists. Costa’s parents were in the gallery.
Police say it is still under investigation whether or not Costa had the means to carry out his online threats.
Police say they do not take these sort of things lightly, especially in light of the tragedies at Virginia Tech and Columbine.
In a statement issued by Kamehameha Schools, officials say “While it is still unclear as to why Jeremy resorted to threatening statements on Facebook, trespassing onto campus and verbal and physical violence, campus security did the right thing by contacting the Hawaii Police Department. Our faculty, staff and administration remain vigilant and aware of the campus security situation, and we are prepared to take further action as warranted.”
Costa’s bail has been set at $100,000.
He’s not related to Vernon Costa!!!! Don’t believe everything you read or hear. There’s 3 sides to every story. Jeremy’s, KHS & the truth. I know Jeremy personally. He’s not a bad person. He’s crying for help & no one’s hearing or listening to him. The Bible says we are not to JUDGE. It saddens me that majority of the public, have already found him guilty. I’ve known Jeremy as an infant & to date. He’s never done or been disrespectful to anyone. He has a BIG HEART. He was dealt a raw deal by telling the TRUTH. The truth got him expelled, while 3 more boys lied about smoking weed. The 3 that lied are still students. Why not Drug Test all of them. One of the Boys that lied is actually the DEALER. He’s providing these kids @ KHS with the weed. So don’t pass judgement on anyone untill U get all the facts. I don’t condone his actions or what he posted on FB. He was trying to get someone to listen to him & give him a 2nd chance. KHS was & is his life. He was proud to be a student there. He’s been there since KIndergarten and to be expelled from the only school you’ve been too & loved, only to get expelled your Senior year!!! It broke his Spirit. He may be 18 but he’s still a kid…!
Lei, thanks for giving your perspective on what happened.
I am sorry.
Apparently you don’t know your nephew like you thought. Because he just put a threat on MY nephew and MY family. If HELP is what he needs to deal with his psychological problems, then evidently theyre not being met cause he had a BOTTLE OF CORONA is his hand. He was indeed intoxicated, cause his bottle ended up flying in the air and hit another innocent by stander. I was there and i saw everything, i held my nephew back from fighting a drunk.So my point is we all got our own test and trials, but starting issues will only lead to MORE issues. Especially if YOU THREATENED ONES FAMILY.
Actually the Bible is all about using wisdom to judge. And people who act like ignorant savages and animals in the Bible were executed.
The entire story of Jesus saying “Whosoever is without sin let him cast the first stone” is a well known TEXTUAL ADDITION to the text.
Get people who act like this and other scum off the island! We the people are sick of these pot smoking, drug taking, booze drinking scum bags!